A nurse practitioner from Michigan has been accused of stealing the coronavirus vaccine from a drive-thru clinic in Detroit. Authorities said that Saeedeh Elahi, 41, allegedly grabbed two syringes filled with the vaccine along with two vaccination cards and put them in her pocket.
Another nurse at the clinic saw Elahi snag the vaccines and contacted the police. Authorities said she took two doses of the vaccine and that the syringes were "ready to go."
The two syringes were confiscated as evidence and cannot be used. Elahi was taken into custody and charged with one count of larceny in a building.
Officials told the Detroit Free Press that Elahi had been working the clinic for several weeks and was hired through an outside staffing agency. They have not determined why she took the vaccines.
"There is simply no excuse for this alleged conduct," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement. "This past year has been extremely stressful for everyone. There is some light at the end of the tunnel because of the various vaccines. State and local governments have been doing their level best to get vaccines to as many people as possible. This case should send a loud and clear message that this conduct is criminal and will be taken seriously."
Officials said the theft did not impact operations at the clinic and that everybody who had an appointment received the vaccine.
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