Police say a purse vanished from a patient room, fraud alerts pinged minutes later, and store cameras pointed investigators toward an Inova Alexandria Hospital employee now out of a job.
A quiet June 8 afternoon at Inova Alexandria Hospital turned chaotic for one family when a patient’s purse—and every credit card inside—disappeared from her room. Within minutes, fraud alerts buzzed her husband’s phone: someone was shopping at the Target Skyline store only two miles away in Falls Church. By day’s end, hospital security and Alexandria Police had zeroed in on a woman wearing scrubs and an Inova lanyard. She no longer works for the hospital, and detectives are pressing ahead with their investigation.
Security footage links scrub‑clad employee to Target purchases minutes later
According to a recently released search‑warrant affidavit, Target loss‑prevention staff showed officers clear video of a woman ringing up items with the stolen cards. How quick was the turnaround? “I was still at my wife’s bedside when the charges hit,” the victim’s husband told police. That timeline helped officers match the footage to hospital shift records—an uncomfortable revelation for Inova leadership. “This matter is under active investigation,” communications manager Tracy Walker confirmed, declining to release the ex‑employee’s role or name. Before we dive deeper, here’s a snapshot of what happened:
- June 8, early afternoon: Purse, IDs, and credit cards vanish from patient room.
- Moments later: Fraud alerts flag attempted transactions at Target Skyline.
- Same day: Target security provides video of suspect in hospital scrubs.
- Later that evening: Hospital security identifies the suspect as on duty that day.
- Following week: Inova terminates the employee; police continue gathering evidence.
Police and hospital outline next steps to protect patient valuables now
Investigators have not disclosed the dollar amount lost, but they’re urging any other potential victims to come forward. “If you noticed suspicious charges after a recent stay, call us,” an Alexandria Police spokesperson said. Meanwhile, Inova says it has “reinforced protocols” for securing personal belongings and is reviewing badge‑access logs. Still, patients may wonder: Should I leave valuables at home for elective procedures? For clarity, here’s where the key events unfolded:
| Location | Address | Distance from hospital |
|---|---|---|
| Inova Alexandria Hospital | 4320 Seminary Rd., Alexandria | — |
| Target Skyline store | 5115 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church | ≈ 2 miles |
Visitors are now greeted with prominent locker options and reminder cards. “First, inventory what you bring,” a charge nurse advised. “Nevertheless, if something feels off, notify staff immediately.”
What’s next for the suspect and the victims?
Police will present findings to the Commonwealth’s Attorney once they finish reviewing transaction records and interviewing witnesses. Restitution could follow if charges are filed. Victims should dispute unauthorized charges with their card issuers and request a fraud alert through the major credit bureaus.
Swift cooperation between store security, hospital staff, and police narrowed the search in hours, but the incident is a stark reminder—keep personal items secured during hospital stays.