Ex-Arcadia officer gets jail for embezzling to buy motorcycle parts, cigars

A former Arcadia police officer who stole nearly $42,000 from a police association to buy item including cigars, clothing and motorcycle parts was sentenced Tuesday to 180 days in jail.

Christian E. Blesch, 37, must also spend three years on probation and pay back the money he took to the Arcadia Police Officers Assn. Blesch, who was the organization’s treasurer, must surrender to begin his jail sentence Nov. 5.

In July, Blesch pleaded no contest to one count of grand theft by embezzlement. Los Angeles County Deputy Dist. Atty. Geoffrey Rendon said Blesch began stealing funds from the association after being elected its treasurer in 2011.

Blesch used the association’s credit card to buy parts and accessories for his motorcycles, as well as clothing, exercise equipment and other personal items, the prosecutor said.

He then paid the monthly credit card bills through the organization’s checking account. Blesch also put a deposit down on a new motorcycle using association funds, prosecutors said.

Blesch and another Arcadia police officer were placed on administrative leave in March 2013 after allegations were made regarding the association’s funds.

Blesch resigned from the Arcadia Police Department last fall, the same day a warrant was issued for his arrest. The other officer, John Jurman, who was also an official for the police officers’ association, was never charged by prosecutors because they determined there was no evidence he committed a crime.

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