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POTSDAM — A cardiologist at Canton-Potsdam Hospital has been charged with stealing prescription medication from patients, village police said.

When taken into custody Tuesday afternoon, Dr. Richard F. Wessel Jr., 59, was found in possession of 118 hydrocodone-acetaminophen pills not prescribed to him, village police said. He was charged with five counts of petit larceny and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, police said.

The arrest came following a long-term investigation into the theft of prescription medication from patients at Dr. Wessel’s office at the CPH Lawrence Avenue campus, police said.

He was released on appearance tickets returnable to Potsdam court at noon April 11, officers said.

Assisting in the investigation were investigators from the state Office of the Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigations.

The investigation is ongoing and more charges are pending, police said.