Woman alleges rings stolen on trip to CRH

Elaine Heidt has lived outside of Coaldale for more than 20 years.

The local resident suffered a brain aneurism March 12 and fell down outside her home. An individual driving by stopped and called 911 for help and tracked her husband down to alert him of the incident.

An ambulance arrived and transported her to Chinook Regional Hospital. She alleges two rings were stolen at some point during the medical emergency.

“When I left home I had my rings on. After LRH assessed me, got me ready and stabilized me to be transported to Calgary, my rings were gone,” she explained. Heidt added she had six rings on at the time, but only two rings went missing.

“My knuckles were cut — from the rings, trying to pry them off my hands. I was unconscious,” she said.

She believes the rings weren’t removed for any of the procedures or during the medical assessment process.

“I still had the other four on when I got to Calgary.”

Heidt alleges somebody stole the rings.

“We’ve been to the police and we’ve gone and talked to the ambulance people. The police have gone to the hospital. They wanted to see surveillance video — the hospital won’t release that. It’s all Privacy Act. They can’t do that unless we get a search warrant and go before a judge, which is going to get very expensive. I just want my rings back,” she said. “I’m not getting any results from anybody.”

James Frey, communications director from AHS South Zone, pointed out AHS is referring media requests to Lethbridge Police Services (LPS).

“Because it’s under police investigation,” he said.

Kristen Harding, executive officer with the LPS, said police are investigating the reported theft of two rings.

According to Harding, on April 4, a 59-year-old woman reported to police two rings were stolen from her during a recent stay at Chinook Regional Hospital.

“As the investigation is ongoing, we are not in a position to disclose any further details or information,” she noted.

If anyone has information about the missing rings, contact Lethbridge Police Service at 403328-4444.