Incidentcase63

A former paramedic is under arrest after authorities claim he stole drugs from fire trucks and ambulances in five different counties.

Indiana State Police say he admitted to stealing fentanyl and replacing it with saline solution.

An investigation was launched back in May after authorities with the Greenwood Fire Department found that several vials of fentanyl from two ambulances had been meddled with.

A statewide audit of all Seals Ambulance Service vehicles in Indiana showed that 34 vials of fentanyl had been tampered with in five different counties, dating back to March.

Howard was identified as a suspect after a review of ambulance employee schedules showed he was working in each county when the crimes happened. Officials say Howard admitted he took the fentanyl and replaced it with saline. Police say Howard used the drug on himself due to a mass on his right side.

The company issued the following statement:

“Last month, Seals Ambulance internal audit and security procedures uncovered a possible drug diversion within its operations. Based upon internal investigation, the company identified the individual responsible. The individual is no longer an employee of Seals Ambulance, and we encouraged him to seek help for his addiction.”