Coronavirus: Arizona hospital employee accused of stealing personal protective equipment

PRESCOTT, Ariz. — An Arizona hospital employee is accused of stealing personal protective equipment and housekeeping supplies, authorities said.

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Keith Brown, 49, of Prescott, was arrested Friday and charged with one count of felony theft and one count of fraud, KNXV reported. Brown, who was an employee at Yavapai Regional Medical Center West Campus in Prescott, was fired from his position in the housekeeping department, the television station reported.

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According to an arrest report, Brown was questioned by police after the hospital staff members noticed items missing from their supplies, KTVK reported.

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Police said Brown admitted to stealing items over the last three weeks, including gloves, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, surgical scrubs, washcloths, masks, paper towels, bleach cleaner and an automatic hand sanitizer, the television station reported.

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Detectives found the items, worth approximately $1,700, in Brown’s car and home, KNXV reported.