Suspect Arrested in High-Value Medical Supply Thefts 

August 8, 2025 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Tuesday, July 9, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., deputies from the Rancho Mirage Special Enforcement Team (SET) responded to a hospital in the 35000 block of Bob Hope Drive regarding a theft of medical equipment. During the investigation, SET deputies identified the suspect as 47-year-old Jason Brauner, a resident of San Jacinto, who gained access to restricted areas of the facility while dressed as hospital staff. Over three separate incidents in June and July 2025, Brauner stole more than $100,000 worth of surgical equipment and skin grafts, wearing blue scrubs and a surgical mask to blend in with hospital personnel and avoid detection.

On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Brauner’s vehicle was located traveling southbound toward San Diego. San Diego County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped the vehicle in Del Mar and detained Brauner without incident. A search of Brauner’s vehicle led to the discovery of stolen medical equipment and stolen hospital apparel. That same day, Rancho Mirage SET, with the assistance of the Palm Desert Robbery Burglary Suppression Team and the Palm Desert Business District Team, served a search warrant at Brauner’s residence in the 1400 block of Potomac Circle in San Jacinto, resulting in the recovery of additional stolen medical supplies valued between $10,000 and $25,000.

Brauner was arrested and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center on multiple charges, including grand theft, commercial burglary, and possession of stolen property.

Deputies learned that hospitals in Loma Linda and Newport Beach had also been targeted in similar thefts. Coordinated efforts with investigators in those jurisdictions have identified Brauner as a suspect in those cases as well. Partner agencies are currently in the process of filing additional charges related to those incidents. There may be additional victims.

This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact Deputy Marco Castaneda at the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at (760) 836-1600.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Bryan Whitley

File # S251900037

Source & photos: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office