SALISBURY TWP., Pa. May 5 2018 – Authorities allege an Allentown man stole money from cancer patients by rummaging through their belongings as they underwent treatment.

Gilbert Gouveia faces single counts of theft and receiving stolen property following his arrest Wednesday. District Judge Donna Butler arraigned the 62-year-old, setting bail at $1,000.

An investigator with the Lehigh Valley Health Network security department contacted Salisbury Township police on Wednesday about patient thefts over the last few weeks. Security reported that the thefts occurred at the cancer and oncology department at the Cedar Crest Boulevard campus.

The hospital provides lockers for patients, where they can store their clothing while undergoing treatment. The lockers do not lock.

Security reported that cash had been stolen from the pants of two patients. One of the patients had cash stolen on two days, police said.

Medical staff told security that one patient, later identified as Gouveia, was at the cancer and oncology center the same day as the thefts, and that he was seen going through lockers, according to court records.

Hospital security placed a wallet with $32 in marked bills in a locker and installed a video camera. Gouveia is allegedly spotted on surveillance video taking the wallet out of a pair of pants and taking the money, according to records.

Security interviewed Gouveia after his treatment, and he allegedly admitted to taking the other money. He was already wanted on a bench warrant for retail theft and taken into custody.

After failing to post bail, Gouveia was sent to Lehigh County Jail to await a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 9.

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