Crime & Safety
San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Employee Accused of Stealing From Patients, Arrested
The Banning Police Department alleges the woman stole from elderly patients at the local hospital.
An employee at San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital has been arrested on charges of burglary and elder abuse after police say they linked her to a series of thefts from patient rooms.
Banning police say they got word of the crimes on Thursday, when they got a report of a "past theft" at the hospital.
"During the investigation, officers determined that three separate patient’s wallets had been taken while they were in their rooms," a press release shared with Patch stated Friday.
Police somehow linked 30-year-old Kimberly Parks, who works at hospital, to the crimes, and contacted her at her Banning home Thursday, according to the release.
"Two wallets and a camera belonging to the victims were recovered," police said, adding that she was arrested and booked at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on burglary and elder abuse charges "...due to the age of two of the victims."
When contacted for comment, a hospital spokeswoman told Patch any concerned patients should contact the police department directly.
"San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital is cooperating with local law enforcement agencies on the ongoing investigation into the alleged thefts," San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Spokeswoman Molly Ellis said.
Jail records show Parks remained jailed as of Friday afternoon, in lieu of $5,000 bail. She's scheduled to appear in the Banning court on July 29.
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