Police in Philadelphia say a man stole $350,000 worth of human skin from a hospital over a two-year period.
NBC Philadelphia reports that 54-year-old Wallingford, Pa. resident Gary Dudek allegedly stole skin grafts from Mercy Philadelphia Hospital between November 2011 and July 2013. However, police didn't launch an investigation into Dudek's actions until this January, following a hospital audit which revealed that Dudek purchased $357,000 worth of skin grafts that never made their way to the hospital.
According to NBC Philadelphia, Dudek's position as a sales rep for regenerative medicine company Organogenesis allowed him to maintain an "open purchase order," meaning he could order the skin grafts whenever he pleased. Furthermore, he was caught twice on surveillance video transporting the skin grafts from the hospital to his car.
Dudek was arrested on Tuesday and charged with theft and tampering with records. Police aren't certain of his motives, but figure he was probably planning to sell them on his own and collect a commission. One thing's for sure: This is absolutely disgusting.
[via NBC Philadelphia]
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