Hospital employee in California accused of stealing skin grafts from patients' surgeries
A 47-year-old man named Jason Brauner from San Jacinto, California, has been arrested and charged for stealing over $100,000 worth of surgical equipment and skin grafts from multiple Southern California hospitals.
The arrest took place on August 6, 2025, after deputies from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office stopped Brauner's vehicle in Del Mar. Inside the vehicle, they found stolen hospital equipment and apparel. A subsequent search of his home uncovered an additional $10,000 to $25,000 worth of medical supplies.
Brauner allegedly committed the thefts by posing as hospital staff wearing blue scrubs and a surgical mask to gain access to restricted areas without detection. He was first identified as a suspect on July 9, 2025, following a theft at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage.
Authorities believe Brauner is responsible for other thefts at hospitals in June and July in the cities of Loma Linda and Newport Beach, California. Security footage from Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach revealed someone stealing hospital equipment.
Investigators used cellphone tower data to track Brauner, leading them to Hoag Hospital. License plate readers were used to find Brauner's vehicle in Del Mar.
Brauner faces multiple charges, including grand theft, commercial burglary, and possession of stolen property. He was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center and pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on August 8. He is being held on $100,000 bail.
There is an upcoming hearing to possibly transfer his case to Veterans Court scheduled for August 15, 2025. The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement requests assistance from anyone with further information.
The alleged theft of skin grafts is not a common occurrence in hospitals. The medical industry takes security very seriously regarding the theft of medical equipment and supplies. There is no legitimate medical market for stolen grafts, according to the American Association of Tissue Banks.
Authorities suspect that Brauner sold some of the stolen items online, which is illegal especially for human tissues like skin grafts, governed by the National Organ Transplant Act. They believe there may be more victims and continue to seek information from the public.
Before his arrest, Brauner had previously worked at Eisenhower Health for a contractor providing cleaning, food service, and facilities management.
[1] San Diego Union-Tribune. (2025). Suspect arrested in hospital thefts in Southern California. Retrieved from https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/crime/story/2025-08-06/suspect-arrested-in-hospital-thefts-in-southern-california
[2] Los Angeles Times. (2025). Man arrested for stealing medical equipment and skin grafts from hospitals. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-08-06/man-arrested-for-stealing-medical-equipment-and-skin-grafts-from-hospitals
[3] ABC7 Eyewitness News. (2025). Suspect arrested in Southern California hospital thefts. Retrieved from https://abc7.com/health/suspect-arrested-in-southern-california-hospital-thefts/10958968/
[4] Riverside Press-Enterprise. (2025). Suspect arrested in hospital thefts in Southern California. Retrieved from https://www.pe.com/2025-08-06/news/suspect-arrested-in-hospital-thefts-in-southern-california
[5] KTLA 5 News. (2025). Man arrested for stealing medical equipment and skin grafts from hospitals. Retrieved from https://ktla.com/news/local-news/man-arrested-for-stealing-medical-equipment-and-skin-grafts-from-hospitals/
In the unsettling case reported by multiple news outlets, including the San Diego Union-Tribune, Los Angeles Times, ABC7 Eyewitness News, Riverside Press-Enterprise, and KTLA 5 News, a man named Jason Brauner was arrested for stealing over $100,000 worth of surgical equipment, skin grafts, and medical supplies from various Southern California hospitals in June, July, and August of 2025.
The technology used by law enforcement, such as cellphone tower data and license plate readers, helped track Brauner, leading to the recovery of stolen items and his arrest in Del Mar on August 6, 2025.
While Brauner allegedly claimed to have posed as hospital staff to gain access to restricted areas, his actions were a serious breach of health and wellness security measures.
Authorities suspect that some of the stolen items may have been illegally sold online, which is a crime as per the National Organ Transplant Act regarding human tissues like skin grafts. The investigation remains ongoing, and the public's assistance is encouraged in identifying any potential additional victims or information related to this case.
Despite the efforts to secure medical facilities and supplies, such incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and cooperation in ensuring the safety of general news, crime, justice, tech, science, and medical-conditions related to our future and health.
Brauner's arrest has been covered extensively in various news outlets, with more detailed accounts available on websites such as the San Diego Union-Tribune, Los Angeles Times, ABC7 Eyewitness News, Riverside Press-Enterprise, and KTLA 5 News.
