A man was arrested on Friday, April 3 for the grand theft of medical equipment during a state of emergency.
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to Palms West Hospital at 13001 Southern Blvd. at 11:45 a.m. on Friday for a theft complain. Upon arrival, deputies learned that the suspect, Rhoderick Manhattan, 46, was working as a physician’s assistant when he was observed by two hospital employees placing stolen medical equipment in a silver Jaguar XF with Pennsylvania plates.
Deputies entered the vehicle and recovered the following items: 52 boot covers, 26 protective overall suits/bunny suits, 12 scrub jackets, 11 head cover hoods, one box of gloves and 1 pair of scrubs.
The medical equipment taken has an estimated value of more than $ 500. Theft of medical equipment over $300 is 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. As of Friday evening, he was being held on $15,000 bond. If he does not post bond, he will be attending his first court appearance on Saturday, April 4.
