AUSTIN -- A man who spent two months in a coma at an Austin hospital awoke to discover he was a crime victim.
Austin police said Thursday that they're seeking a woman seen on ATM bank surveillance video using his debit card.
Police say the Seton Medical Center patient lapsed into a coma in May and that his debit card was used at least eight times in late June to steal more than $1,300. One withdrawal happened in San Antonio, while the rest were in Austin.
Police Detective Matt Conley says the card had been in the man's wallet in a backpack kept in his room. He says that when the man came to, the backpack remained but the wallet was gone.
"It's disgusting. It's bad enough that it was stolen from him, but he obviously wasn't aware of it, couldn't take care of himself and someone took advantage of that fact," Conley said.
Police say the victim didn't learn of the theft until his discharge.
Seton Family of Hospitals Senior Vice President Greg Hartman released this statement to KVUE:
"The Seton Family of Hospitals has policies to protect the valuables and belongings of our patients. Upon admission, patients have the option to send valuables home with family members or other responsible adult, or their valuables can be secured in a safe within the facility. Seton was not aware of any missing items until information concerning the patient’s missing debit card was brought to our attention by the Austin Police Department. Based on an initial review of our records, the patient’s debit card was not given to Seton to secure. We will continue to cooperate with APD in the ongoing investigation."
Police released a description of the suspect. She's Hispanic, in her late 20's to mid-30's. She has a young child and drives a maroon 2005-2006 Chevrolet Silverado LS crew cab or extended cab pickup with tan interior and a black toolbox in the bed.
If you have any information, call the APD Financial Crimes Unit at 974-5290. or CrimeStoppers at 472-TIPS.
