Incident 40009
Incident 40009
El Paso hospital warehouse manager arrested in theft of boxes with N95 masks, police say
A hospital warehouse manager was arrested last week after being accused of stealing boxes of N95 masks, the El Paso Police Department said Friday.
Eduardo Salas, 57, was arrested around 10:40 a.m. April 4 by an El Paso police officer working extra duty at the Del Sol Medical Center warehouse, 10301 Gateway Blvd. West, who said he saw Salas, the warehouse manager, placing boxes of N95 masks into the trunk of his own vehicle.
After the officer was informed Salas did not have permission to take the masks, Salas was arrested and charged with theft for the two boxes, which contained 100 N95 masks, police said.
Salas was booked into the El Paso County Jail on a theft charge April 4 on a $5,000 bond. Records show he was released later that day.
N95 masks are in demand because they are used by health care professionals battling the coronavirus pandemic. They filter out the potentially fatal virus.
Authorities recommend everyone use a cloth mask in public to protect others from the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, but say N95 masks currently should be reserved for health care workers and first responders due to shortages across much of the nation and world.
Approximate date(s) of the diversion:
04/04/2020
Where the Diversion Occurred:
Del Sol Medical Center
10301 Gateway Blvd W, El Paso, TX 79925
Type of Healthcare Facility:
Hospital
Person Diverting:
Eduardo Salas
Profession of the person diverting:
All Other
Has the incident been reported?
e.g. to local law enforcement, county board of health, state licensure board, and/or federal DEA or FDA authorities?
Yes
To whom has the incident been reported?
Local Law Enforcement, , and/or federal DEA or FDA authorities?
