Iowa woman accused of heart monitor theft

[May 17, 2010]  WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) -- A Waterloo woman who allegedly left a hospital with a heart monitor still attached is charged with theft.

Police said Wendi Mae Mingus was a patient at Allen Hospital on May 8 when she walked outside to have a cigarette. She was attached to a wireless heart monitor valued at $1,000. According to court records, staff told her she couldn't go outside to smoke unless she was discharged. Mingus left.

Police found Mingus the next day after she allegedly tried to break through a wall in an apartment building. She was arrested for second-degree theft and fifth-degree criminal mischief.

Mingus was in the Black Hawk County jail on Friday on $5,000 bond. Jail officials did not know if she had an attorney.

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Information from: Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, http://www.wcfcourier.com/

[Associated Press]

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