Nevada Man Charged For Allegedly Stealing Surgical Masks From Veterans Affairs Medical Center

A Nevada man was accused Thursday of allegedly stealing several boxes of surgical masks from a Veterans Affairs center amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Peter Lucas, 35, faced federal charges for the alleged theft of four boxes of surgical masks between March 19 and the 23rd from the Ioannis A. Lougaris VA Medical Center. The criminal complaint said that he was caught on security footage stealing the masks from medical supply carts he was tasked with overseeing. The video also allegedly shows him hiding the boxes inside his jacket as he leaves the medical center.

The complaint did describe Lucas’ relationship with the medical center.

The four stolen boxes reportedly contained around 50 masks each. Lucas is being charged with theft of healthcare property and could face up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

“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,” U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich said in a statement.

“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.”

After he was charged with the theft, Lucas alleged he had taken the masks to help a friend who works in the medical field. However, she reportedly told investigators Lucas planned to give the masks away to the local homeless population to help fight exposure to COVID-19.

Lucas had his first court appearance on video Wednesday and was released on his own recognizance. His next court conference waws set for April 17.