Arrest in theft of Illinois hospital laughing gas

PEORIA - A 33-year-old central Illinois man has been charged in connection with the theft of laughing gas from the hospital where he worked.

The (Peoria) Journal-Star reports that Eric J. Rebholz of Chillicothe was charged with theft and delivery of nitrous oxide Sunday. Online records show he's in custody Monday at the Peoria County Jail.

A police report says a security officer from OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria interviewed Rebholz while investigating reports of missing nitrous oxide tanks. Rebholz allegedly admitted to stealing nitrous oxide tanks weekly for seven or eight months. He allegedly sold them for $10 per pound.

His job was terminated in late July.

It's not immediately clear if Rebholz has an attorney and no home telephone listing could be found.