A 47-year-old convicted felon suspected of perpetrating numerous thefts at hospitals, netting tens of thousands of dollars of equipment, while posing as an employee at each facility, pleaded not guilty Friday to grand theft and other charges.

Jason Suniga Brauner of San Jacinto was arrested Wednesday following a monthlong Riverside County Sheriff's Department investigation.

Along with theft, Brauner is charged with burglary, receiving stolen property, and being a prior-strike felon.

According to Sheriff's Sgt. Bryan Whitley, on the afternoon of July 9, deputies were alerted to an alleged theft at Eisenhower Health on Bob Hope Drive, resulting in the loss of unspecified medical gear.

Whitley said the ensuing investigation identified Brauner as the alleged perpetrator.

"Brauner ... gai

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