Drug bag thefts from EMS crews rare says Miami Valley EMS Council president

News Center 7 is learning more information about how often drugs are stolen from local EMS crews’ supplies.

>> Report: Drugs stolen from Mad River Twp. Fire & EMS

After drugs were reported stolen from Mad River Twp. medic bags  last weekend, News Center 7’s Jenna Lawson was told that a similar incident happened in Bethel Twp. months ago.

The drugs were stolen back in February, said Bethel Twp. Fire Chief Jacob King.

It was reported to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Ohio Board of Pharmacy, and the case is still being investigated.

Both Mad River and Bethel townships are members of the Greater Miami Valley EMS Council that administers the drug bag program.

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“We have over 950 drug bags around 13 counties,” said David Gerstner, president of the Miami Valley EMS Council.

He said that it’s rare for the bags to be stolen.

“We only average about one a year,” Gerstner said.

To his knowledge, of the more than 120 agencies that the council serves, he’s only aware of the two thefts this year from Mad River and Bethel townships.

Mad River Fire Chief Tim Wendling said that the case  is under investigation by the sheriff’s office and that he couldn’t share anymore details.

In that case, someone took several doses of heavy pain killers and anxiety relievers, including fentanyl.

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It was not clear what was stolen in the Bethel Twp. case.

We will update this story as more information is released.

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