Naples hospital employee arrested for stealing, pawning patients Rolex

After dealing with serious medical issues, an elderly patient at Physicians Regional Medical Hospital realized her prized watch was stolen when she got her belongings back.

In a hospital surrounded by people who are there to help, Naples residents feel that is where people should always feel safe.

“They’re there to help you. Not to, presumably, steal from you,” said Naples resident Brad Benson.

On Tuesday, Collier County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Karley Rey, 32, a certified nurse assistant and emergency room technician at Physician’s Regional Medical Hospital, for allegedly stealing a watch from her elderly patient that was brought to the hospital by ambulance for a medical emergency.

“It’s very, very unexpected and I’m sure 99.9 percent of ER techs are wonderful people and every so often you get a person in a position they shouldn’t be in,” said Naples resident Dave Pink.

According to the arrest report, Rey supposedly stole the watch and then went to a nearby jewelry store and pawned it.

Receipts from the pawn shop state Rey got $2,100 from pawning the Rolex, and according to the report, she later admitted to taking the money to pay her bills.

“I can’t imagine she doesn’t feel badly about it,” Benson said. “I’m sure she must’ve felt bad while she was doing it, but that’s no excuse for doing something like that.”

Rey is now facing charges of grand theft, dealing with stolen property and exploitation of the elderly.

WINK News reached out to Physicians Regional Medical Hospital for comment and a spokesperson says, “it’s their practice to not comment on current or former employees.”