A former employee of Riverside (Calif.) Community Hospital was charged Feb. 4 with seven counts of grand theft for allegedly stealing surgical equipment from the hospital, according to NBC4.
Hospital administrators contacted police in May about the possible theft of medical supplies. Administrators said an audit revealed $2.9 million worth of surgical staples that had been ordered over a three-year period could not be found at the hospital, according to the report.
After a six-month investigation, police arrested a former hospital worker, Oscar Orlando Bernal. Police said they found "stolen medical supplies and additional evidence" when they searched Mr. Bernal's home.
Mr. Bernal pleaded not guilty at an arraignment hearing.
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