Ex-Employee Accused Of Taking Patient's Wallet At Palos Hospital

PALOS, IL — A Hazel Crest man is accused of taking a wallet from a patient at Palos Hospital in December. David Smith, 30, appeared before Cook County Judge Linzey Jones on a charge of aggravated identity theft.

Palos Heights police took a report on Dec. 27 from a 67-year-old patient at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital, who said her wallet was missing. The patient noticed two unauthorized charges made on her debit card at a Palos Hills gas station and a Walmart in Glenwood.

Video and receipts were obtained from the transactions, and a vehicle license plate was captured. After working with hospital public security, investigators learned that the suspect, later identified as Smith, was a former hospital CNA who had been recently fired.

Upon Smith's arrest, police said he made a full confession. The Cook County State’s Attorney approved felony charges, and due to the patient’s age, the charge of felony aggravated identity theft was approved.

The prosecutor said Smith had no prior criminal background. Smith told the judge he is no longer employed at the hospital. Smith was released on a $10,000 I-bond. His next court date is Feb. 24 in Bridgeview.

“Your job is to show up and not get arrested,” Jones said.