*Shaquille Dukes (right), 24, says he was simply following doctors orders when he went for a walk with a friend outside the Freeport Health Network Memorial Hospital earlier this month — that’s when he was arrested for attempting to steal medical equipment.
Dukes was recovering from pneumonia and still wearing his hospital gown and attached to an IV machine on June 9 when, following his doctor’s orders, he took a stroll outside the hospital with friends. But the leisurely moment was interrupted when a security officer approached and accused Dukes of attempting to steal the IV equipment, New York Daily News reports.
Dukes posted cellphone videos taken by his friends on Facebook, writing:
Come to Freeport on Vacation and leave on Probation. This is truly one of the most racist cities in America. I was admitted into the hospital for double pneumonia, after receiving doctors orders to walk around, I was stopped by an overzealous, racist, security officer, who claimed that I “was trying to leave the hospital to sell the IV equipment on eBay”.
OTHER NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: Kevin Durant Chooses Brooklyn Nets Along with Kyrie Irving, DeAndre Jordan – VIDEO
Dukes tried explaining the situation but the security guard wasn’t having it, telling him: “Well I don’t care what they told you. As far as I’m concerned, this is hospital equipment and you’re attempting to steal it.”
In a police report of the incident, the security guard claimed he was “threatened” by Dukes’ two male companions.
In one of the videos posted on Facebook, the security guard can be heard telling officers, “He’s stealing hospital property, basically, by leaving. I don’t care if he was coming back, that’s stealing.”
In his FB post, Dukes details how the IV was removed without medical supervision and he had a seizure and an asthma attack while being transported to jail.
Freeport Police released bodycam footage and said the officers “handled it in the best way they could … given the situation that they had in front of them.”
Investigators also told ABC News that Dukes is not being truthful about the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
“Our investigation revealed that at no time did any doctor or nurse give that patient or any patient permission to leave the hospital while still hooked to an IV machine,” Freeport police officials said.
“It was determined that he was likely not trying to steal any of the property. But the charges were supported for disorderly conduct with their actions toward the security guard.”
Dukes has filed a complaint against the city and is working with a lawyer.
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!
