Stealing from mom nets year in jail

By Neal Putnam

A Ramona man who pleaded guilty to theft from his mother has been sentenced to one year in jail and ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution.

The sheriff’s department said the projected release of Gerald Timothy Lowe, 41, is July 6 after he received credit for nearly two months in jail. He was arrested on Feb. 6.

Lowe pleaded guilty to financial elder abuse and grand theft, but there was no physical abuse alleged, said Deputy District Attorney Ann Spitzberg. She said some items belonging to his mother were found at a Ramona pawn shop.

Vista Superior Court Judge David Berry placed Lowe on three years probation.

Spitzberg said Lowe could have received a maximum sentence of four years and four months in prison. The plea was taken Feb. 21 without his mother having to testify in a preliminary hearing.

The theft occurred from Oct. 1, 2012, to Jan. 28, according to the charges. Lowe remains in the Vista Detention Facility without bail.