Huntley Man Charged With Stealing Fentanyl From Central DuPage Hospital
CHICAGO (CBS) -- DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin and Winfield Chief of Police David Schar announced Wednesday that charges have been filed against a Huntley man and former employee at Central DuPage Hospital for allegedly stealing fentanyl from the hospital.
Joshua M. Agruss, 33, was charged with four counts of unauthorized acquisition of a controlled substance, four counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and two counts of burglary, all felonies, according to a statement from the DuPage County state's attorney's office.
"This case is a textbook example of law enforcement and other entities working together towards a common goal," Berlin said in a statement. "The authorities as Central DuPage Hospital have been extremely cooperative and helpful throughout this entire investigation and for that I thank them. I would also like to commend the Winfield Police Department for their outstanding work in helping us secure charges against Mr. Agruss as well as Assistant State's Attorney Lynn Cavallo for her work in holding Mr. Agruss responsible for his actions."
Agruss, of the 9700 block of Cummings Street in Huntley, worked as the emergency medical services continuing education specialist at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, prosecutors said.
Between Dec. 10-28, 2014, he obtained fentanyl from an emergency department nurse to purportedly replace fentanyl administered to a patient by a paramedic, knowing the paramedic did not actually provide the drug to a patient, prosecutors said.
He also obtained 400 micrograms of fentanyl from a nurse to replace fentanyl administered to a patient by a paramedic, knowing that the paramedic actually provided only 200 grams, prosecutors said.
Following an investigation by Winfield police, a $50,000 arrest warrant was issued for Agruss on July 28, according to prosecutors.
"This was a long and complex investigation that required a cooperative effort between Winfield Police Detective McIntyre, several members of the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office and a number of other private and public entities," Schar said. ��Everyone's effort and determination has ensured the best case possible will be presented in court."
On Saturday, Agruss turned himself in and was released after posting 10 percent of the $50,000 bond. He is next scheduled to appear in court Sept. 6 in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2016. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
