A former Valencia bank teller was arrested by detectives with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department after allegedly stealing nearly $200,000 from the accounts of elderly customers over a period of five months last year.

Daniel Welsh, 31, of Lancaster, was a teller at a bank branch located inside of a grocery store on the 23800 block of Copper Hill Drive. From December 2015 to April 2016, Welsh is accused of stealing funds from elderly bank customers.

While working, Welsh befriended and gained the trust of several Santa Clarita citizens, according to detectives. Under the guise of helpful assistance, he contacted the victims in areas away from the branch facility and used the trust he gained to manipulate their bank accounts.

Investigators believe Welsh withdrew large amounts of the victims’ money without their knowledge or consent, preying on those from the senior citizen community.

Two victims were identified and a loss of over $180,000 was reported.

After an investigation conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, two felony counts of Theft from an Elder Adult were filed, each with a special allegation for Loss Over $100,000, Loss Over $65,000 and a Serious Felony.

A $200,000 warrant for Welsh’s arrest was issued, and a motion requiring the defendant to verify the legitimate source of bail monies was filed to prevent him from using stolen money to pay bail.

Welsh was arrested June 5, 2017 by Sheriff’s Fraud and Cyber Crime Bureau Fraud Team members near his home in Lancaster. He was booked at Lancaster Sheriff’s Station and is currently housed within the Los Angeles County jail system in lieu of $200,000 bail.

However, detectives believe there may be other victims Welsh contacted, and are asking for any residents who believe they may have information about Welsh to contact LASD officials.

If a resident believes they have any information about this investigation or believe they were a victim of fraud at the hands of Welsh, they are encouraged to contact Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Fraud and Cyber Crimes Bureau Detective Michael Marino or Sergeant David Chambers at 661-471-1580.

To remain anonymous, call “L.A. Crime Stoppers” at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or download the “P3 MOBILE APP” on Google play or the App Store, or click here.