TX man in coma awakes to ATM crime

AUSTIN (KXAN/AP) - Armondo Kelly, who spent two months in a coma at an Austin hospital, awoke to discover he was a crime victim.

Austin police on Thursday announced they are seeking a woman seen on ATM bank surveillance video using his debit card. The woman drives a maroon Chevrolet Silverado LS Crew cab with a black toolbox in the bed. In each photo or video, police say there was a yong girl in the car with the suspect.

Police said Kelly was in a coma at Seton Medical Center, beginning in May. His debit card was used at least eight times in late June to steal more than $1,300. There were eight transactions between June 22, 2009 and July 9, 2009.

Police said one debit card withdrawal happened in San Antonio, while the rest were in Austin.

"Unfortunately for the victim it was a new ATM card and he thinks that he may have had PIN number written down in his wallet perhaps," said Det. Matt Conley, with the Austin Police Department. "He thinks that how it could have occurred."

Police said Seton Medical Center is cooperating in the investigation.

"We are working with the hospital security to determine if she is an employee, but there is nothing saying that she is an employee," said Det. Conley. "She could have very well be someone who was visiting someone or someone off the streets. We just don't know at this point."

At 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Seton Family of Hospitals released a statement:

The Seton Family of Hospitals has policies to protect the valuables and belongings of our patients. Upon admission, patients have the option to send valuables home with family members or other responsible adult, or their valuables can be secured in a safe within the facility. Seton was not aware of any missing items until information concerning the patient’s missing debit card was brought to our attention by the Austin Police Department. Based on an initial review of our records, the patient’s debit card was not given to Seton to secure. We will continue to cooperate with APD in the ongoing investigation.