Former Hospital Pharmacy Tech Charged with Stealing Covid-19-Related Drugs
WEST CARSON – Charges of allegedly stealing anti-malaria tablets have been handed to a former pharmacy technician, announced the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office (LADA). Christopher Mencias Agustin (36) of Torrance is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail for 463(A) PC 2nd Degree Burglary during Emergency.
“Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), County Services Bureau, along with Los Angeles County District Attorney investigated the theft and illegal sales of prescription drugs intended to combat the COVID-19 virus,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Deputy James Nagao.
“On two separate occasions, the defendant is accused of entering Harbor-UCLA Medical Center to steal prescription drugs,” said Greg Risling of the LADA. “More than 700 tablets of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, which are used to treat malaria and recently touted to possibly combat COVID-19, were allegedly taken.”
“These drugs were identified as Hydroxychloroquine, a type of medication to treat a variety of Auto-Immune Diseases and Azithromycin, which is a type of antibiotic,” said Deputy Nagao. “When taken outside of the care of a medical professional, this can be fatal.”
The Covid-19 Pandemic caused a high demand for the medications. Hospital inventory monitoring efforts by hospital stakeholders and hospital personnel revealed a discrepancy in their supplies.
An investigation was launched. Evidence gathered by LASD County Services Bureau deputies from Harbor/UCLA resulted in the 03/31/2020 arrest for grand theft, indicating that the suspect was involved in the theft of approximately $7K worth of prescription drugs.
Agustin was charged in case BA486647 with two felony counts of second-degree burglary during an emergency and one felony count of concealing or withholding stolen property exceeding $950. LASD Detectives served a search warrant at the suspect’s Torrance residence on 04/09/2020, where one controlled substance and additional prescriptions drugs were recovered.
A possible maximum sentence of four years and four months in jail awaits the defendant, if convicted as charged. LASD is conducting the ongoing investigation.
LADA’s Deputy District Attorney Michael Fern of the Cyber Crime Division is prosecuting the case. Arraignment is expected to take place in Dept. 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
“This health crisis has made an impact throughout our nation. LASD County Services Bureau Detectives investigated this case to its entirety, even though current detective workforces are divided between their regular duties and being reassigned to patrol due to the health emergency,” said Deputy Nagao. “Due to the current COVID-19 public health emergency, and the heightened public vulnerability regarding the propensity for citizens to purchase these types of medications, LASD is urging the public not to buy from someone other than a healthcare provider or pharmacist working inside a licensed pharmacy location.”
