The Indianola Police Department arrested Indianola Hy-Vee Pharmacist Jeffrey Bates Friday morning, following a one-month investigation into fraudulent prescription practices at the Hy-Vee Pharmacy.

According to a press release, the Indianola Police Department received a report from the Indianola Hy-Vee management that identified discrepancies in medication inventory at its pharmacy, and the following investigation discovered Bates, while being employed as a pharmacist, unlawfully diverted controlled substances and created fraudulent prescription records, indicating theft of prescription pills and tampering with internal documents.

A discrepancy of more than 3,000 pills were taken from the pharmacy totaling over $14,000. The investigation concluded Bates was the only perpetrator, and did not indicate signs of a broader pattern or a recurring issue, and Hy-Vee has notified individual patients.

Bates has been charged with eight counts of Prohibited Acts, a class C felony, Theft in the 1st Degree, a class C felony, Identity Theft, a class D felony, and Tampering with Records, an aggravated misdemeanor.

Bates is being held at the Warren County Jail. Find the full press release below.

https://mailchi.mp/indianolaiowa.gov/ipd-newsrelease-may302025?e=7fcf260820