Patient says he was robbed while asleep

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - An Albuquerque man claims he was robbed while he slept in his hospital bed at Presbyterian Hospital.

Officials at the main Presbyterian Hospital said they have only had seven thefts reported in the past year. However, KRQE News 13 learned that may not be an accurate count of crime that takes place inside the hospital.

There are dozens of cameras throughout Presbyterian Hospital. Hospital officials said security there is tight.

However, one patient warns while staff is watching your health you better watch your belongings.

“He said that he had been asleep and he put it in the top drawer -- and when he woke up to use it, it was gone, the headphones and IPod,” David Clemmer said.

The IPod belonged to David Clemmer. Clemmer said he had loaned the item to a friend who was admitted into the hospital last week for two blood clots.

“You’re there to be helped not to be robbed,’ Clemmer said.

Clemmer’s friend said it happened to him.

We spoke to him by phone and he told us that hospital security did respond to his fourth floor room and took a report. They then asked him for the list of his belongings that was supposed to have been jotted down when he checked into the room.

“The nursing staff will fill that out when they come in and they'll do an inventory check of the patient’s belongings,” Hospital Security Director Paul Sandoval said.

Sandoval said jotting down that list is standard procedure. However, Clemmer's friend said someone forgot to tell him.

“He said they had not mentioned this list until after things were stolen,” Clemmer said.

Sandoval said in causes where there is no proof the item existed and there was no proof of theft the case is classified as missing.

“There was no proof that anybody was there to steal anything,” Sandoval said.

The director said on average there are 10 theft cases a year at Presbyterian. He said missing cases could reach up to 25 a year.

Some of those cases could be forgotten items or they may be cases that are hard to prove theft occurred

Hospital staff said they do offer to lock up patient’s belongings downstairs. Those that opt not to take advantage of this must sign a waiver.