Suspect accused of stealing medical equipment from hospital during state of emergency

LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. (WPEC) – A 46-year-old man was arrested for reportedly stealing emergency equipment from Palms West Hospital during a state of emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Deputies went to Palms West Hospital at 11:45 a.m. Friday morning for a theft complaint, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said. Deputies found out Rhoderick Manhattan, a physician’s assistant, was seen by two hospital employees placing stolen medical equipment in a silver Jaguar XF with the Pennsylvania Tag # KLZ4980.

After searching the car, deputies found the following items:

• 52 boot covers
• 26 protective over-all suits/Bunny suits
• 12 scrub jackets
• 11 head cover hoods
• Box of gloves
• Pair of scrubs

The medical equipment is worth over $500, according to the sheriff's office. Theft of medical equipment over $300 is normally a second-degree felony, and a “state of emergency” enhancement makes it a first-degree felony.

Manhattan was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of larceny of emergency equipment and grand theft of emergency equipment during a state of emergency.

He's being held on a $15,000 bond.