St. Pete Fire Lieutenant Stole Coronavirus Vaccine Dose: Police

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A lieutenant with the St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Department has been accused of stealing a dose of the coronavirus vaccine, according to police.

The man, Lieutenant Duane Zagorsky, is accused of taking a second dose of the vaccine home to a family member while being given his own dose of the vaccine at the city's vaccine distribution center in January, St. Petersburg police said in a news release.

Because a dose of the vaccine is valued at $39, the theft is considered a misdemeanor petit theft, police said. Zagorsky qualified for the Pinellas County Adult Pre-Arrest Diversion Program, meaning he will not have a criminal charge on his record once the diversion program is complete.

Authorities said an internal investigation is ongoing to determined which, if any, city employee policies Zagorsky violated and if he will be disciplined.

Zagorsky has worked for the St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Department for 15 years.