A Florida man who had been recently named “Paramedic of the Year” helped a supervisor steal COVID-19 vaccines meant for first responders, sheriff's officials said.
LAKELAND, Fla. – The 2020 Paramedic of the Year in Polk County, Florida, has been arrested and charged with stealing COVID-19 vaccines meant for first responders.
Joshua Colon, 31, was arrested Monday by the Polk County Sheriff s Office after confessing to intentionally stealing three doses of Moderna vaccine, then forging paperwork in an attempt to cover his actions, according to the Sheriff s Office. We have a responsibility to uphold the community s trust, said Robert Weech, chief of Polk County Fire Rescue. We found in one of these opportunities we didn t do that. We are deeply disappointed.
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Colon said he stole the vaccines this month at the request of his supervisor, Capt. Tony Damiano, who sought the vaccine for his elderly mother.
Paramedic of the Year accused of helping to steal vaccine
by The Associated Press
Last Updated Jan 26, 2021 at 2:26 pm EDT
BARTOW, Fla. A Florida man who had been recently named “Paramedic of the Year” helped a supervisor steal COVID-19 vaccines meant for first responders, sheriff’s officials said.
Joshua Colon, 31, forged the vaccine screening and consent forms to help cover up the theft of three vials containing 10 doses each of the Moderna vaccine, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a news conference Tuesday.
Colon was arrested on Monday, days after his resignation from Polk County Fire Rescue, Chief Robert Weech said.