Peter Lucas, Theft of Health Care Property, Nevada 2020

State: Nevada
Category: Violent Crime
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/hundreds-surgical-masks-stolen-reno-man-veterans-affairs-medical-center" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

RENO, Nev. – Peter Lucas, 35, of Reno, was arrested yesterday and appeared in court today for allegedly stealing hundreds of surgical masks from a supply cart at the Ioannis A. Lougaris VA Medical Center in Reno, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.

According to the complaint and affidavit, police surveillance cameras at the VA Medical Center depicted that, between March 19 and March 23, 2020, Lucas stole at least four boxes of surgical masks from supply carts in his care, then concealed the boxes under his jacket before exiting the hospital. Each box contained 50 masks.

U.S. Attorney Trutanich stated, “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. 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.”

Lucas is charged with one count of theft of health care property. He made his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carla L. Baldwin. If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty is one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

The case is a product of an investigation by the VA Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Walkingshaw is prosecuting this case.

The public is urged to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or by e-mailing the NCDF at disaster@leo.gov or directly to the U.S. Attorney’s Office at USANV.COVID19FRAUD@usdoj.gov. For information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s efforts to stop COVID-19 fraud, visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, you may visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and WHO websites.

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