St. Pete, Florida: Bayfront Health Security Guard Accused of Stealing Patient’s Money
Police say the suspect had access to the patient’s belongings while he was being treated in the emergency room and spent nearly $160 at a Walmart.
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A security guard at a Florida hospital is accused of taking a patient’s debit card and cash and making purchases at several locations.
Carlos Roman was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash on Feb. 12 and was taken to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg in an ambulance, Fox 13 reports. Pinellas Park Police Department Sergeant Alexander Matson said during the transport, Roman’s belongings were transferred to Bayfront and placed in a secured location.
After his release, Roman reported his debit card and $100 were missing from his wallet. An investigation determined Roman’s debit card was used at a Walmart on U.S. Highway 19 in Pinellas Park while he was in the hospital.
Video surveillance from the store shows a man, later identified as 29-year-old Irvin Green, using Roman’s debit card to buy nearly $160 in merchandise and gift cards. Police say he was accompanied by another suspect, 35-year-old Gabriel Palmer, who allegedly attempted to use the card at self-checkout, but the transaction was declined. The card was then used a second time at another location in Tampa, according to WTSP.
Police said Green had access to Roman’s personal belongings while he was being treated in the emergency room. Palmer is not affiliated with Bayfront.
“Bayfront has been very cooperative with us, helping to make sure that we got justice for this victim. The security staff there was very helpful with the investigation,” Matson said. “To my knowledge, there are no other victims. But it is always a possibility.”
Green and Palmer were both arrested and charged with felony fraudulent use of a credit card.
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