Lincoln City woman charged with stealing $70,000 from Keizer couple in her care

A Lincoln City woman has been charged with stealing about $70,000 from a Keizer couple and then buying a boat and a pickup truck. 

Jody Collins, 52, was arrested Monday by officers with the Keizer Police Department. A grand jury indicted Collins on four counts of first-degree theft, five counts of first-degree criminal mistreatment and two counts of first-degree aggravated theft. 

According to court records, the alleged crimes against Dorothea and EJ Strandberg occurred between Jan. 1, 2015 and Aug. 1, 2017. 

Marion County District Attorney's Office could not confirm the Strandbergs' ages, but court documents said the victims were 65 years or older. 

Collins "assumed care, custody and responsibility of supervision" of the Strandbergs and allegedly took a minimum of $68,000 in money or property.

As a result of the alleged theft, Collins bought a 1979 Bayliner boat, a slip located at the Resort Hotel & Marina Embarcadero in Newport and a 2009 Toyota pickup, according to court documents. The state of Oregon may confiscate those items under forfeiture laws.

Marion County District Attorney's Office could not confirm Collins' precise relationship with the Strandbergs or how they came into her care.

Collins is being held at the Marion Couty Jail. Her bail is set at $340,000 and she is listed as a flight risk. She was ordered to have no contact with the victims. 

Her next court date is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 5. 

Virginia Barreda is the Breaking News Reporter with the Statesman Journal. She can be reached at 503-399-6657 or at vbarreda@statesmanjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.