Sergeant Named a Suspect in Alleged $2,000 Theft

The Police Department has named a veteran sergeant as a suspect in the alleged theft of $2,000 from a crime scene and forwarded an investigation of the incident to the district attorney’s office, Cmdr. Mary Schander said.

The case involving Sgt. James Shear is being reviewed by the Special Investigations Division of the district attorney’s office and a decision on whether to file charges could be made sometime this week, said district attorney’s spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons.

Shear has been on paid leave since December, police said.

Last November, $2,000 was removed from a sealed envelope that was in the possession of a man being held on suspicion of auto theft, according to police.

Less than a week later, Shear threatened to take his own life at police headquarters and was placed on paid leave, authorities said. Subsequently, Pasadena police issued a statement about the Dec. 1 incident, saying Shear might have been involved in the theft.

Shear could not be reached for comment, and an attorney identified as representing the officer did not return calls to his office.