As Treasurer, He Was Entrusted With Police Union's Money. Officer Stole $100,000, Prosecutors Say - Beritaja

A erstwhile Baldwin Park constabulary serviceman pleaded not blameworthy Monday to allegations that he stole much than $100,000 from the city’s constabulary relation during the 18 months he served arsenic its treasurer, Los Angeles County prosecutors said.

Andres Villalobos, 35, faces 29 felony counts of expansive theft, 2 felony counts of possession of an explosive and 1 felony count of commercialized burglary, according to the Los Angeles County territory attorney’s office.

Prosecutors allege that betwixt July 2022 and August 2023, Villalobos made a bid of unauthorized transfers from the Baldwin Park Police Assn.’s slope relationship to his online account. The losses full $104,947, officials said.

“Stealing costs that are provided by, and are meant to thief chap constabulary officers, is simply a superior betrayal of trust,” said Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Nathan J. Hochman. “Wearing a badge is not a shield from being held accountable.”

An lawyer representing Villalobos could not beryllium reached for remark Monday.

Villalobos was elected treasurer of the constabulary relation successful precocious 2021, tasked pinch managing its finances, authorities said. The labour statement represents constabulary unit successful Baldwin Park.

He was initially arrested connected embezzlement charges successful December 2023, and has since been terminated from the force, according to reports.

Baldwin Park constabulary did not respond to a petition for much specifications about his employment.

During a hunt of Villalobos’ home, investigators besides recovered 2 flash-bang grenades, though prosecutors did not disclose wherever he obtained the explosives.

Villalobos maintained his innocence astatine a Nov. 10 arraignment hearing, and bail was group astatine $1.6 million. A preliminary proceeding is scheduled for Nov. 24 successful a downtown Los Angeles courtroom.

If convicted connected each counts, he faces up to 26 years and 8 months successful authorities prison.

“My agency will proceed to clasp rule enforcement officers who break the rule to the aforesaid standards arsenic everyone else,” Hochman said.