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Man allegedly steals wallet from hospital, police working similar cases in surrounding areas

Police have not confirmed if one man is responsible for the wallet thefts.

BALDWIN, Wis. — Hospitals like Western Wisconsin Health receive patients with open arms.

"We see people of all types, we encourage people to come visit us," Adam Gingery, the Chief Financial Officer of Western Wisconsin Health said Friday. 

However, there was an unwelcome visitor on Monday. Gingery said a man walked in and rifled through administrative offices and cubicles.

"He was probably in his 40's, 50's," Gingery said. "He was a heavy set individual, wearing light-colored shorts and a T-shirt. It looked like he was wearing some slippers."

Gingery says the man made off with one employee's wallet and another's lunch bag.

"[He] proceeded to leave the hospital," Gingery explained. "In total, he was here for about six minutes."

According to the initial police report made by the victim, the victim said she noticed around $900 worth of charges on her debit card shortly after. Gingery said the hospital decided to turn to social media for help.

"We started getting feedback that this has happened elsewhere," Gingery said. "He made his way up the 94 corridor, into Minnesota, down in other organizations as well." 

At least four other police departments in Wisconsin and Minnesota confirmed they are working cases with a similar M.O. None of them have announced that the same man is responsible for the different thefts.

"It's not the items, it's not the money," Gingery said. "It's the fact that you do feel violated. It feels very personal that they came after you."

Gingery said they are working on tightening security for the business offices in the near future.

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