A Willowbrook nursing assistant has been charged with stealing the credit card of a dementia patient at a Hinsdale long-term care facility and making more than $580 in unauthorized purchases, according to DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin’s office.

Myra Gordon, 33, of the 15W600 block of Mockingbird Lane, Willowbrook, was charged with one count of aggravated identity theft, a Class 3 felony, after officials said she stole the elderly patient’s credit card while the patient was under Gordon’s care at HCR ManorCare, 600 W. Ogden Ave. in Hinsdale, and used it to make $582.20 worth of purchases.

The theft and unauthorized purchases occurred between Oct. 10 and Oc.t 17, according to the Hinsdale Police Department. 

“What Ms. Gordon is accused of doing is absolutely disgraceful and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Berlin said in a release Thursday. “Individuals with disabilities, particularly if they are elderly, rely on others for their day to day living. They place their complete trust in those who are charged with their care. The fact that someone could betray that trust and take advantage of another human being when they are at their most vulnerable is appalling.”

Berlin's office commended the Hinsdale Police Department for its work on the case. 

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Gordon posted the necessary $500 of her $5,000 bond Thursday morning and was released. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 3, 2012, in front of Judge Robert Kleeman.

Hinsdale Deputy Police Chief Kevin Simpson said Thursday that investigators are looking into the possibilty that this incident is connected to similar past incidents. 

See also:

• Two Thefts Occur at Hinsdale ManorCare: Police Blotter