Woman stole masks, hand sanitizer from hospital patients, cops say

Jessica Huff | CPD

A Chicago woman stole hand sanitizer, protective masks, and patient property from rooms at the University of Chicago Hospital on Thursday, according to police and a law enforcement source.

Jessica Huff, 38, of the Grand Crossing neighborhood is charged with felony burglary and three misdemeanor counts of theft in the case, according to a spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department. She was ordered held in lieu of $10,000 bail on Friday. A judge also ordered Huff held on three warrants from DuPage, Grundy, and Williamson counties.

Huff was arrested by University of Chicago Police officers at 10:23 a.m. Thursday, according to data on the department’s website and information provided by the source.

The source said Huff was a patient at U of C at the time of the alleged incident.

Hand sanitizers, high-grade face masks, and other protective materials are in high demand and low supply in many areas of the country as people react to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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