DATE/TIME: September 17, 2026, 2:39 p.m.
INCIDENT: Theft From a Dependent Adult
LOCATION: 11500 Block of Winifred Drive, Apple Valley
SUSPECT 1: Cynthia Franklin, 67-year-old Female Resident of Apple Valley
SUSPECT 2: Robert Wilson, 58-year-old Male Resident of Apple Valley
VICTIM: 86-year-old Female Resident of Apple Valley
SUMMARY:
On Thursday, September 17, 2026, at about 2:39 p.m., deputies from the Apple Valley Station responded to a residence in the 11500 block of Winifred Drive, for a financial crime.
Through the course of the investigation, detectives determined Cynthia Franklin wrote unauthorized checks from the victim’s account, made the checks payable to Robert Wilson, and forged the victim’s signature without authorization. The victim is an adult with cognitive disabilities who was known to Franklin.
Deputies authored a search warrant for the residence associated to Cynthia Franklin. During the service of the search warrant, investigators located evidence related to the forged checks, as well as evidence consistent with the possession and sales of methamphetamine.
Franklin and Wilson were arrested without incident. Franklin was booked into High Desert Detention Center for PC 368(d)(1)- Theft from an Elder or Dependent Adult, PC 182(a)(1)- Conspiracy, PC 470(a)- Forgery, PC 475(a)- Possession of a Forged Check. Franklin is being held in lieu of $40,000 bail.
Wilson was booked for PC 182(a)(1)- Conspiracy, PC 368(d)(1)- Theft from an Elder or Dependent Adult, PC 470(a)- Forgery, and PC 475(a)- Possession of a Forged Check. In addition, Wilson was booked for a felony warrant for vandalism. Wilson is being held in lieu of $70,000 bail.
Anyone with any information about this investigation is asked to contact the Apple Valley Police Station at (760) 240-7400 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call the We-Tip Hotline at 844-909-3006, text REPORT to 844-909-3006, or provide information at the link: https://mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites
Refer: Taylor Reynolds
Station: Apple Valley
Phone No: (760) 240-7428
Case No. 182605623
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino Sheriff-Coroner Department
