Warehouse manager steals $1 million worth of COVID tests from workplace, CA cops say

A warehouse manager is accused of stealing more than $1 million worth of COVID-19 tests and sending them to his home in California, police said.

The Santa Ana man worked at a warehouse for Covid Clinic, a company that ships COVID-19 tests nationwide, the city’s police department said.

The tests are typically used at clinics, testing sites, schools and hotels. The employee had access to the company’s shipping and delivery system at several of Covid Care’s seven warehouses.

He used that information to send nearly 100 shipments of COVID-19 tests to his home, according to police.

Santa Ana police told the Los Angeles Daily News they tried to arrest the man on Feb. 9 after his employer discovered the shipments were being sent to the man’s home. However, the man appears to be on the run.

Cpl. Maria Lopez, a police spokeswoman, told the news outlet the man may have been diverting test shipments to his home since December.

“Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the wanted suspect is asked to contact Detective Wilson at (714) 245-8551,” police said.

Covid Care did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for statement.

This story was originally published February 25, 2022 at 10:37 AM with the headline "Warehouse manager steals $1 million worth of COVID tests from workplace, CA cops say."