A southwest Houston man living in a retirement home is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from an elderly woman across the country.

Robert Cornell, 81, has been charged with felony theft.

According to investigators, Cornell called a 92-year-old woman in Sacramento, Calif. and told her she won the lottery, but to collect her prize money she would have to pay the taxes.

The woman complied, sending checks for $5,000 and $3,400 to Cornell's mailing address. Those checks were cashed at a southwest Houston Wells Fargo bank, said investigators.

The victim, who never received a prize, became suspicious and called police.

Residents at Cornell's retirement home said they were disturbed by the allegation.

"It hurts me with all my heart that people can take advantage of someone that's very helpless, it is so wrong," Beverly Smith said.

Cornell as arrested and bonded out of jail on Friday.