COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A suspect is behind bars after he allegedly walked out of several local hospitals carrying hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of medical equipment.
NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS on how Columbus police said the suspect was apprehended.
Columbus police arrested 51-year-old Edward Carter in connection to the theft of several defibrillators -- a medical device that could mean the difference between life and death.
Defibrillators use an electrical shock to restart a person's heart during cardiac arrest. They're a doctor’s best friend.
What could criminals want with the devices, though?
That's what Ohio State University Medical Center Director of Clinical Engineering Robert Howard said he wants to know.
Five defibrillators were stolen from the OSU Medical Center during the last several weeks, and police said Carter is the top suspect.
“I really don't see the any market for them as far as use out on the street,” Howard said.
Carter allegedly stole the professional-level defibrillators off hospital carts.
Police said he avoided wall-mounted devices for the public because when those devices are removed, an alarm sounds.
Ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 apiece, defibrillators are expensive to replace.
“We just received a shipment here. These are slated for our nursing-training program, but they came at an opportune time to be able to help fill the gap,” Howard said.
OSU Medical Center wasn’t the only hospital hit, either.
CPD Burglary Detective Brian Lacy said five defibrillators, two laptops and an ultrasound machine were stolen from Riverside Methodist Hospital during the past couple of months.
Similar equipment also was stolen from Grant Medical Center.
CPD got a break in the case Christmas Day.
Grant Medical Center security guards stopped Carter as he was leaving the hospital.
He was carrying a briefcase that allegedly contained three stolen laptops and bolt cutters.
Investigators said they believe Carter intended to sell the laptops.
He was arrested and charged with theft.
The rest of the missing medical equipment has not been located currently.
OSU Medical Center officials said they're hopeful the defibrillators will be tracked down using their serial numbers in the event they're sent in for repairs.
Columbus police continued to investigate.
Anyone with information on the thefts was asked to call CPD at 614-645-4545 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS.
For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
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