Police: Man stole hand sanitizer from hospital to get drunk

ALTOONA, Pa., Jan. 10 (UPI) -- A man accused of stealing hand sanitizer from a Pennsylvania hospital said he took the chemical to mix with orange juice and drink for the alcohol, police said.

Altoona police said Lee B. Ammerman, 51, allegedly took 12 containers of hand sanitizer from the UPMC Altoona hospital in a series of incidents beginning Oct. 21 and he allegedly admitted to the thefts when confronted by officers at the hospital Jan. 2, the Altoona Mirror reported Friday.

Ammerman was quoted in the arrest affidavit as saying he had taken "a large amount" of the $6.65 bottles of hand sanitizer from the hospital over the course of several months.

"I mix the liquid with orange juice," Ammerman allegedly told police in explaining he uses the sanitizer to get drunk.

Ammerman was issued a summons for misdemeanor theft and receiving stolen property. He is due to appear at Central Court Feb. 5 for a preliminary hearing.