Nevada Man Charged For Allegedly Stealing Masks From A Veterans Hospital

A Nevada man was arrested after he allegedly stole four boxes of surgical masks from a veterans hospital in Reno. Prosecutors said that Peter Lucas, 35, grabbed the masks off of a medical supply cart at the Ioannis A. Lougaris VA Medical Center.

Surveillance video recorded between March 19 and March 23 showed Lucas hiding the boxes under his jacket before walking out the front door of the facility. Each box contained 50 masks.

He was taken into custody and charged with one count of theft of health care property.

"Our military veterans served on the front lines to protect our country, and now our health professionals are doing the same in our fight against COVID-19," said U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich. "We will not allow the theft of personal protective equipment to go undeterred, endangering the safety of doctors, nurses, and other health professionals protecting our communities."

If convicted, Lucas faces up to one year in prison and a fine of no more than $100,000.

To keep up to date on the latest news about the coronavirus and to understand what you need to stay safe and healthy, check out the Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction podcast from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Photo: Washoe County Sheriff's Office


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content