Police: Ex-retirement home employee stole from residents

A former Cooper George retirement home employee was arrested Tuesday for allegedly stealing from several elderly residents. Police say Melody D. Roper, 38, stole non-prescription medication, a collector coin and other items from at least four clients during her three-month stint at the home, which ended two weeks ago. “The alarming part of this incident is that this person was employed for the sole purpose of taking care of those who cannot take care of themselves,” Officer Brian Eckersley said in a news release. “Instead she used her position as a means to take what was theirs and make it her own.” The items each were valued at less than $30, and victims did not realize someone was stealing from them, according to police. Cooper George employees reported the theft. Police booked Roper into the Spokane County Jail on four counts of theft.