Operating room tech accused of molesting patients in Redwood City

Robert Lastinger Robert Lastinger Photo: San Mateo Co. Sheriff Photo: San Mateo Co. Sheriff Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Operating room tech accused of molesting patients in Redwood City 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A Fremont man who police say molested male patients who were under sedation at Stanford Hospital’s Outpatient Surgery Center in Redwood City was arrested Monday on four felony counts of sexual battery.

The 55-year-old man, Robert Lastinger, was an operating room technician who has been in the medical field for more than 20 years, and has worked at Stanford’s outpatient surgery center for about five years, said Lt. Sean Hart, investigations commander of the Redwood City Police Department.

“The crucial thing is we’re looking for additional victims,” Hart said. “We’re going through his employment history and trying to figure out where he’s worked in the past.”

Police began investigating Lastinger on April 2, after Stanford employees reported seeing him “inappropriately touching anesthetized male patients when he had contact with them during their recovery period,” according to a statement from police.

Police have identified four victims. The alleged incidents occurred on March 15 and April 2, when Lastinger was placed on administrative leave. He has since been dismissed.

Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov