JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is investigating a multi-year theft scheme involving millions of dollars’ worth of medical equipment stolen from St. Vincent’s Hospital.
That’s according to the arrest report for a 54-year-old Michael Roberson, who was taken into custody last week and charged in connection with the thefts.
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The investigation began in December 2024, according to the report.
The security manager at St. Vincent’s reported that multiple surgical robotic arms had been stolen from the Southside hospital on Belfort Road. This prompted the security team to review surveillance footage and badge-access records. During the review, investigators say video footage and still images captured 58-year-old Angela Kearse exiting the Southside facility around 3 a.m. on Christmas Day 2024.
Kearse, a former operations technician at St. Vincent’s, pleaded guilty last month to stealing $60,000 worth of robotic arms from the hospital.
The security manager told police that additional individuals were suspected to be involved in the thefts, and similar thefts of robotic arms appeared to date back to 2020.
According to the report, preliminary estimates indicated approximately $14 million worth of robotic arms had been stolen from St. Vincent’s Hospital Southside and other Ascension-affiliated facilities.
Kearse told police that Michael Roberson, who represented himself as a local radiology sales representative, was involved in planning the thefts with another individual. Roberson allegedly sold the stolen equipment to third-party retailers in Florida and Tennessee.
Financial analysis by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office found that unused surgical instruments valued at approximately $14.25 million were missing from the hospital.
Kearse said she first met Roberson in 2023 at a poker room in Jacksonville, where she worked as a card dealer. They later developed a personal relationship.
Roberson now faces felony charges including grand theft, dealing in stolen property, and criminal attempt.
News4JAX reached out to St. Vincent’s for a statement on the thefts and received this response:
“We appreciate the diligence of law enforcement in conducting an investigation into reported medical device thefts. The individual identified by authorities as the alleged ringleader is not, and has never been, associated with our organization.
One former employee charged earlier in the matter was immediately separated from our health system at that time.
We continue to cooperate fully with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Additional questions should be directed to their department.”