Ex-Hospital Worker Charged With Second Identity Theft

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL — An ex-hospital worker is accused of taking a second patient’s wallet at Northwestern-Palos Hospital. David Smith, 30, of Hazel Crest is charged with aggravated identity theft.

The patient told police their debit card was missing and noticed fraudulent charges from a Homewood GameStop on their account. Palos Heights police obtained video and receipts from the transactions. Store video also captured the vehicle.

Investigators said the location of the card use was consistent with the date, time and location of another unrelated identity theft reported in December. 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, according to police.

Smith was arrested on suspicion of aggravated identity theft in the first case last month and was released on a $10,000 I-bond. He was identified as a suspect in the second reported theft.

Police said Smith agreed to turn himself in on Feb. 9 and confessed to taking the second patient’s debit card. The case was presented to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. Due to the patient’s age, state’s attorney approved a felony count of aggravated identity theft.

Smith appeared for a bond hearing the next day. His next court date is Feb. 24 in Bridgeview. He has no prior criminal record.