IRVINE : More Charges Filed Against Fired Officer

Five additional felony charges were filed this week against a fired UC Irvine police officer accused of stealing computers and other high-tech equipment from campus buildings, the Orange County district attorney’s office said.

Scott Eric Roberts, 34, now faces 22 felony charges. The incidents date back to 1991, when a cellular telephone was reported stolen from a student residence hall during winter vacation, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Randy Pawloski.

In the three years since, Roberts is suspected of stealing a variety of computer parts, portable radios, stereo speakers, videocassette recorders and an electric typewriter from classrooms and administrative buildings at the campus, Pawloski said.

The latest charges, which were filed Monday, include three more counts of burglary and two additional counts of selling stolen property. Prosecutors would not say if they expected to file more charges against Roberts.

Neither Roberts nor his attorney, John Barnett, could be reached for comment. But Barnett had previously said that Roberts planned to plead not guilty to all charges against him.

Roberts, who lives with his wife and children in Trabuco Canyon, could face up to 11 years in state prison if convicted. He joined the UC Irvine Police Department in 1984 and was fired Dec. 20 because of the criminal investigation.

Roberts posted $10,000 bail last week. His arraignment has been postponed until Jan. 31.