Man accused of stealing medical gear from hospitals worth thousands of dollars sought

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) - Authorities today were continuing their search for a 47-year-old felon accused of perpetrating numerous thefts at hospitals throughout the region, netting tens of thousands of dollars of equipment while posing as an employee at each facility.

Jason Suniga Brauner of San Jacinto was due to appear for a hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice on Dec. 19 but didn't show, according to court records.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Francisco Navarro immediately revoked Brauner's $100,000 bond and signed a bench warrant for the defendant's arrest. As of Christmas Day, he had not been located.

Brauner is charged with burglary, receiving stolen property and being a prior-strike felon. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in August. At that time, his public defender requested that the case be transferred to the county's Veterans Court for a determination as to whether Brauner may qualify for the program.   

Information regarding the defendant's prior military experience was unavailable. Former service members who have committed nonviolent offenses can be referred to Veterans Court and, if accepted, they're able to receive therapy, obtain vocational training and exercise other options while on
probation. The program is intended to keep offenders out of jail.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, on the afternoon of  July 9, deputies were alerted to a theft at Eisenhower Health on Bob Hope Drive, resulting in the loss of unspecified medial gear.  

Sgt. Bryan Whitley said the ensuing investigation identified Brauner as the alleged perpetrator.  

"Brauner ... gained access to restricted areas of the facility while dressed as hospital staff,'' the sheriff's spokesman said. "Over three separate incidents in June and July, Brauner stole more than $100,000 worth of surgical equipment and skin grafts, wearing blue scrubs and a surgical mask to blend in with hospital personnel and avoid detection.''   

Whitley said further investigation confirmed the defendant had committed similar thefts at hospitals in Loma Linda and Newport Beach.   

"There may be additional victims,'' he said.   

On the afternoon of Aug. 6, San Diego County sheriff's deputies, acting on information received from detectives in Riverside County, spotted the defendant driving southbound in Del Mar and initiated a traffic stop, taking him into custody without incident and turning him over to authorities in Riverside.  

Detectives additionally executed a search warrant at his residence in the 1400 block of Potomac Circle, ``resulting in the recovery of additional stolen medical supplies valued between $10,000 and $25,000,'' according to Whitley.

Details on Brauner's prior convictions were unavailable, but court records indicated he served time in state prison.