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/
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