Ocala, Florida — A trauma surgeon on contract with Ocala Regional Medical Center was robbed of $130,000 in surgical equipment during the early morning hours on Wednesday.
Doctor Samuel Gerard Agnew told police that, around midnight, on Wednesday, he placed five trays of highly specialized surgical equipment valued at $130,000 in his Hummer H3. Agnew said he then used his key fob to lock the doors.
Agnew said the surgical equipment was for a surgery scheduled at 8:30 a.m.
Right before the surgery, Agnew realized the equipment had been stolen from his vehicle while parked at the Ocala Hilton, where Agnew has been staying for the past year while contracted with ORMC. Also taken were two survival knives and a paper shredder.
According to reports, it was later determined that the batteries in Agnew’s key fob were dead, therefore his vehicle doors never locked.
The doctor was able to complete the surgery using other equipment.
Police are hoping fingerprints and DNA swabs taken from the vehicle will provide some leads.
According to reports, Hilton Ocala does not have security cameras in its parking lot.
If you have any information about this crime, call the Ocala Police Department at 352-369-7000 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, text 274637 using keyword 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.