Ex-Mt. San Jacinto College police chief faces felony charges

A former community college police chief in Riverside who allegedly stole ice cream from a push cart vendor he arrested, surrendered Wednesday to multiple felony charges relating to a towing company kickback scheme.

Kevin Harold Segawa, 39, former police chief at Mt. San Jacinto College, surrendered to authorities after the Riverside County district attorney’s office filed 10 criminal charges against the former lawman Wednesday. The charges culminated a 13-month investigation and included eight felony counts for crimes such as bribery, perjury and misappropriation of public funds.

Prosecutors say that from 2005 through 2008, Segawa received various benefits from a deal with Morgan Allen McComas, owner of Pirot’s Towing in San Jacinto.

During that period, Segawa’s department towed about 1,200 vehicles. Roughly 85% of that business was funneled to Pirot’s, and the company earned between $200,000 and $500,000, prosecutors say. In return, Segawa allegedly received kickbacks in the form of a used motorcycle, used tire rims, tires, racetrack tickets and free repairs.

McComas surrendered to authorities Wednesday, after he was charged with one count of trying to bribe a public officer and two counts of aiding in the misappropriation of public funds.

“This is like out of 1920s L.A. or something, out of a movie or something,” Riverside County Dist. Atty. Rod Pacheco said of the alleged scheme.

Segawa also faces a misdemeanor count of failing to file an arrest citation in connection with a 2008 incident in which he improperly seized ice cream from a street vendor.

According to prosecutors, Segawa arrested an illegal immigrant who was selling ice cream from a cart off campus. Segawa seized the cart and the ice cream, then turned the man over to immigration officers, who deported him.

Segawa took the ice cream to his home and gave what he couldn’t fit in his refrigerator to his neighbor.

“This is the police chief, for God sakes,” Pacheco said. “Not only does he get bribed and steer towing to his partner in crime, but on top of it, he’s stealing ice cream from a street vendor and getting the guy deported.”

Segawa was placed on paid administrative leave in July, and an interim police chief has replaced him.

The college responded in a prepared statement. “We take this matter seriously and will take the appropriate action based on the law and district policy,” wrote Irma Ramos, vice president of human resources at the college.

Several former police officers under Segawa have filed suit alleging corruption in his department.

McComas and Segawa are both being held on $25,000 bail.

baxter.holmes@latimes.com