Arizona Man Steals 29 Coronavirus Testing Kits from Health Center

Dozens of coronavirus testing kits from an Arizona health clinic were stolen by a man posing as a delivery driver.

Tucson police said he entered the El Rio Health Center in Tucson just before 8 p.m. as employees were getting ready to close. He reportedly took 29 of the COVID-19 test kits and drove off. According to the police, health center employees noticed the unused kits were missing the next morning.

“Surveillance images show the suspect, who police say is described as a Hispanic male in his 30s with a large build. He appears to have a full, dark-colored beard with some graying,” reported Fox News.

Arizona man steals dozens of coronavirus testing kits from health clinic https://t.co/igtBUxYzEU via @foxnews pic.twitter.com/viFXPlxZwW

— Chris 🇺🇸 (@Chris_1791) March 22, 2020

According to the police, the test kits are “essentially useless” to the suspect because they can only be tested in a “private lab equipped with the proper tools for testing and reading results.” The clinic was able to replace the stolen kits; however, police said the suspect’s actions have contributed to the health crisis.

KTLA added that “officials in the hardest-hit states, such as New York and California, have warned about a shortage of tests and testing materials, and their focus has shifted to avoiding broad testing to conserve rapidly dwindling resources.”

Police remind citizens not to purchase any coronavirus test kits for sale.

“It is a scam! There are currently no home test kits for the virus,” police said.