Napa Hospital Employee Arrested On Suspicion Of Embezzlement: PD

NAPA, CA — An employee of Queen of the Valley Medical Center was recently arrested on suspicion of felony embezzlement after money went missing from a safe at the hospital, the Napa Police Department said Thursday.

Management with the hospital on Trancas Street contacted the police department March 10 to report that $9,841.26 went missing from a safe where it was being held for a patient, Napa police Sgt. Aaron Medina said in a news release.

Patrol officers worked with QVMC management to investigate the missing money. Following numerous interviews with staff members, officers identified Hortencia Bravo, 45, of Napa, as a potential suspect in the theft.

Officers interviewed Bravo who admitted to the theft and returned $7,900 in cash after the interview, Medina said.

The police department will now forward the case to the Napa County District Attorney's Office to request prosecution for felony embezzlement, Medina said.

Bravo declined to comment when reached by Patch.

Police did not say in what capacity she worked for the hospital.

A hospital spokesperson did not immediately return an email request for comment Thursday.

The investigation was continuing; police asked anyone with information to contact Officer Jose Velasquez at jvelasquez@cityofnapa.org.