Texas man accused of stealing ventilators that were headed to COVID-19 patients, feds say

A Texas man stole nearly 200 ventilators that were headed to Central America to help treat COVID-19 patients, feds say.

Yoelvis Denis Hernandez, aka “Guarijo,” 42, was arrested by federal officials after he was indicted for conspiracy, possession of stolen goods being shipped interstate and theft of government property, according to prosecutors.

On Aug. 9, Hernandez and Luis Urra Montero stole a tractor-trailer that had 192 medical ventilators, according to prosecutors. The machines were being taken to Miami International Airport as part of a government aid program.

The ventilators were heading to El Salvador and had a value of nearly $3 million, according to prosecutors. They were going to be used to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Police recovered most of the stolen ventilators.

Montero was arrested in September on the same charges. Both cases will be held in federal court in Florida.