2 Theft Charges Filed Against Officer Accused of Taking $1,540
Theft charges were filed Friday against a Santa Ana police officer who is accused of stealing money from suspects who were in custody, the district attorney’s office said.
Officer William T. Cleary, 27, allegedly stole $1,540 in two instances. He was charged with one count of grand theft and one count of petty theft, and faces a maximum sentence of three years if convicted, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Jim Tanizaki.
Cleary’s arraignment, scheduled Friday afternoon, was continued until Feb. 14 at the request of his attorney, Charles A. Goldwasser, Tanizaki said.
The felony charge is based on evidence collected during a sting operation, which Santa Ana police conducted Jan. 23.
During his evening patrol, Cleary encountered an undercover officer who was posing as a suspect and carrying a large sum of money, police said. Cleary is suspected of stealing $1,140 from the officer, Tanizaki said.
The misdemeanor charge stems from an incident in September in which Cleary is accused of stealing $400 from a prisoner, Tanizaki said.
Cleary, a two-year member of the department, has been on administrative leave since his arrest.
On Tuesday, he was notified that he would be fired Feb. 7 unless he holds a successful hearing before Police Chief Paul M. Walters, police said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
