A Los Angeles County coroner’s examiner was arrested Wednesday for allegedly stealing trinkets — including a cross — from the bodies he was assigned to investigate, officials said.
Adrian Muñoz, 34, was charged with one felony count of grand theft of property and one misdemeanor count of petty theft of property nearly a year after he allegedly stole a Christian necklace from its recently deceased owner.
“In the case of the medical examiner, his role is not only to investigate and try to determine the cause of death when people die in our county, but it’s also to provide closure to the families of people who are going through this very difficult time,” LA County District Attorney George Gascón said during Press conference.
“Protecting the sanctity of this process is a trust we have as public servants to ensure we serve the public and when that trust is breached it affects the credibility of the entire system.”
Muñoz is accused of ripping the gold cross necklace from the neck of a man who suffered a fatal heart attack while working at a warehouse in south Los Angeles.
Surveillance footage showed Muñoz stuffing the necklace into his medical bag, leaving the man’s family wondering where the beloved piece of jewelry went, investigators said.
LA County District Attorney George Gascón announced the charges against Muñoz at a press conference on Wednesday, Nov. 8.LADAOffice
“Everybody knew he had it — he was recognized for it,” the son-in-law told the Los Angeles Times, adding that the chain had more sentimental value than monetary value.
Coroners also dragged cash from the man’s front trouser pocket, which he also hid in his bag, the grieving family claimed.
The reported theft led investigators to search Muñoz’s district desk cubicle, where they found the stolen heirloom treasure.
Among the stash, officers found a rare antique coin with a receipt in the name of a man whose death in November 2022 was answered by Muñoz, prosecutors said.
Kristopher Gay, the deputy district attorney handling the case, said additional thefts could be revealed in the coming weeks.
“He has been involved in many cases,” he said at the press conference. “How many potential victims I can’t say.”
Muñoz has worked for the Department of Medical Examiners since 2018 and earned more than $100,000 after overtime pay in 2022, according to online records.
He spent three years before joining the department as deputy public conservator for the Treasurer and Collector of Taxes.
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo said he was “very disappointed” and had suspended Muñoz on Tuesday.
“That will definitely interfere with the hard work my staff does every day,” Ukpo said. “With such a high caseload that they put up with the work they do is truly remarkable.”
Muñoz faces up to three years in prison if convicted.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
