A woman in Crestline who portrays herself as a psychic has been accused of embezzling cash to "remove a spirit" from another woman, a sheriff's detective said in a statement.
Cindy Uwanawich, 56, of Crestline, has a storefront business on Lake Drive known as the Psychic Door, Detective Scott Thies of the sheriff's Twin Peaks Station said.
The alleged victim told deputies she made an appointment for two "readings" at Uwanawich's home in Crestline, and she paid $50 for each reading, according to Thies.
On Dec. 17, "Uwanawich told the victim she had the spirit of a person who had drowned attached to her and if she gave her nine pennies, nine nickles, nine dimes, nine quarters and $9,000.00 for nine days the spirit would be removed," Thies said in the statement.
"The victim gave Uwanawich a large sum of cash with the promise it would be returned. Uwanawich did not return the funds."
On Jan. 18, Uwanawich was arrested at her place of business in the 23800 block of Lake Drive, according to Thies and inmate records. She was booked at West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of embezzlement. Bail of $50,000 was posted and she was released Jan. 19.
"Investigators believe Uwanawich may have victimized other people in a similar fashion," Thies said.
Uwanawich has also used the name Cindy McKinney in the past, according to inmate records.
Anyone with more information was urged to call Thies at (909) 336-0600. Crestline is in the mountains north of Redlands and Loma Linda.
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