A suspect has been arrested in connection with a series of medical supply thefts totaling more than $100,000. Riverside County Sheriff's Department reports that Jason Brauner, 47, of San Jacinto, posed as a hospital employee to execute the thefts. His deceit spanned across several hospitals, wherein he donned blue scrubs and a surgical mask to seamlessly blend with the staff and facilitate his heists.
The investigation took a decisive turn on Tuesday, July 9, when deputies were called to a hospital on Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, regarding a theft. Their investigation quickly began to point unmistakably toward Brauner. In a move to further clarify their findings, on August 6, deputies stopped Brauner's vehicle in Del Mar, managing to find in the process a trove of stolen goods. A subsequent search at Brauner's residence led to the recovery of additional supplies, according to a statement obtained by the Riverside Sheriff's Department.
Booked on charges of grand theft, commercial burglary, and possession of stolen property, Brauner's arrest by the John Benoit Detention Center is only a fraction of this unfolding narrative. Further investigations have implicated him in similar thefts at Loma Linda and Newport Beach hospitals. These discoveries suggest a calculated operation, affecting an even broader swath of the medical community than initially understood. Hospitals in the mentioned areas are encouraged to review their inventories and report any discrepancies.
The Riverside Sheriff's Department's coordinated efforts with nearby jurisdictions have worked to illuminate Brauner's wider trail of larceny. As they prepare to file additional charges, the case continues to expand, signaling that there may be more victims yet to uncover. Anyone with information on these cases is urged to contact Deputy Marco Castaneda at the Palm Desert Sheriff's Station at (760) 836–1600. Details are still emerging, and the investigation remains ongoing, with updates provided as new information arises.
