A Watch To Die For: California Doctor Accused of Abandoning Effort to Resuscitate Man In Order to Steal His Rolex

Dr. Cleveland James Enmon of St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton, California is accused of an astonishing crime and act of malpractice. The family of Jerry Keith Kubena, Sr. allege in a lawsuit that Enmon was resuscitating Kubena when he noticed the expensive Presidential Rolex watch on his wrist. He then allegedly abandoned any serious effort to revive the man and instead stole the wristwatch. This is why I wear a $90 camping watch from REI.

The retired policeman was brought into the hospital with cardiac arrest — and an expensive wristwatch. The family claims that Enmon quickly took control of the former until he spotted the latter.

“Plaintiffs are informed and believe and on that basis allege that decedent went into cardiac arrest. Defendant Enmon assumed the responsibility of resuscitating decedent. Once defendant Enmon formed the intent to steal decedent’s watch, he abandoned his efforts to resuscitate decedent leaving decedent to die so that he would not be around to reclaim his watch.”

According to the complaint, the nursing staff noticed that the timepiece was gone and then two nurses reportedly saw a wristwatch-shaped bulge in the doctor’s pocket.

Cameras capture Enmon walking out of the building after a nurse asked where the wristwatch was and another nurse saw him throw something on the grass. She led security personnel to that spot and found the watch. Yet, the hospital never called police. Now, the hospital is also being sued in a tort action for wrongful death; negligent hiring; negligent supervision; civil conspiracy; intentional infliction of emotional distress; and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Trespass to chattel is also possible but hardly needed.

The family says that it was not until eleven days later that the allegation was revealed to them.

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