Following an investigation into what the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office is calling the “flimflam” of local elderly residents, 35-year-old Mary Beth Safady, of 1705 Pineview Road, was arrested Thursday.

According to Spalding County Sheriff Dee Stewart, Safady has been charged with two counts of felony theft by taking and two counts of misdemeanor theft by taking.

“Right now, we’ve identified four victims,” said Capt. Tony Ranieri, of the SCSO Criminal Investigation Division. Ranieri said Safady deceived her elderly victims into giving their money to her.

“Basically, she befriended them,” he said.

When asked how much money Safady allegedly stole from her victims, Ranieri said, “We’re still in the process of counting that up. Plus, we’ll probably have some more charges coming up against her later.”

Safady is being held without bond on a violation of probation charge in the Spalding County Jail.

Stewart said the investigation against Safady is ongoing. He is asking anyone who has had contact with Safady and who may have been victimized by her to call investigators at 770-229-9406, extension 213.