A medical staff member has been detained in Valladolid on suspicion of a series of thefts targeting patients and their relatives. According to investigators, the man used his professional position to discreetly steal personal belongings and money from people in stressful situations—in hospital corridors and during ambulance transport. His actions raised concerns among patients and staff in several medical institutions across the city.
The investigation began after four similar reports of missing wallets and other valuables were filed during the autumn. Victims noted that the thefts took place either in emergency departments or during transportation in an ambulance. In each case, the suspect was seen near the victims at the time their belongings disappeared.
Crime Modus Operandi
One of the incidents occurred at the end of October at the Hospital Clínico Universitario. A woman was waiting for an appointment in the emergency room when an orderly offered to put her bag in a ‘safer place.’ Later, she discovered that money, bank cards, and her Christmas lottery ticket had vanished from her wallet. Shortly after, another patient reported a missing wallet containing a large sum of money and a lottery ticket at Hospital Universitario Río Hortega. In both cases, the suspect was seen near the victims.
In November, the son of one patient reported that during his father’s ambulance transfer, a bag containing cash and several lottery tickets went missing. On the same day, another family reported the disappearance of a wallet with cash, bank cards, and a Real Valladolid football club membership card from their relative, who had also been brought to the hospital by ambulance.
Recurring incidents
Police determined that the detainee had previously attracted the attention of law enforcement for similar incidents. In 2023, he was suspected of stealing €500 from a woman during an ambulance transfer. In 2019, he was linked to the disappearance of a wallet containing €900 after a medical incident involving a patient. Two cases were recorded in 2016: one involved €300 disappearing from a man injured in a city bus accident, and in another, €1,500 went missing from a patient brought to a clinic.
All these episodes share a similar pattern: the orderly was always near the victim at moments when they were most vulnerable and unable to keep track of their belongings. Investigators note that the suspect acted quickly and discreetly, taking advantage of the general commotion and the inattention of those around.
Next steps
After his arrest in December, the man was released on the condition that he not leave the area. The investigation is continuing to gather evidence and interview potential witnesses. Medical facilities in Valladolid have increased personnel oversight to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Victims and their relatives are voicing concern and demanding stricter oversight of staff with access to patients’ personal belongings. There is ongoing discussion in the city about the need to review security procedures in hospitals and ambulance services.
