Post by KC on Jan 28, 2007 22:28:02 GMT -5
TUSKEGEE, Ala., Jan. 25, 2007 -- Two men who have served on the Tuskegee Police Department were arrested this week in relation to alleged theft of property of the City of Tuskegee and in the possession of Police Chief Lester Patrick.
District Attorney E. Paul Jones confirmed the arrests to WSFA.com and copies of the two indictments set out the charges. Jones says the investigation started with the resignation of then police officer Michael Rucker.
Other sources tell WSFA that's when Tuskegee Police Chief Lester Patrick conducted his standard audit and discovered the money missing. The discovery led to a much broader investigation by the district attorney and the Alabama Bureau of Investigation. Authorities arrested Nelms on Wednesday and Rucker Thursday.
Concerning former police officer Rucker the indictment reads:
"The Grand Jury of Said County charges that before the finding of this Indictment, Michael Rucker, whose name is otherwise unknown to the Grand Jury, did knowingly obtain or exert unauthorized control over the following property, to-wit: $14,000.00 in U.S. Currency, the property of the City of Tuskegee in the possession of the Tuskegee Police Chief Lester Patrick, and having a value in excess of $2,500.00 dollars, with the intent to deprive the owner of the said property, in violation of Section 13A-8-3 of the Code of Alabama, against the peace and dignity of the State of Alabama."
Concerning officer James Nelms, who also resigned, his indictment reads:
"The Grand Jury of Said County charges that before the finding of this Indictment, James Nelms, whose name is otherwise unknown to the Grand Jury, did knowingly obtain or exert unauthorized control over the following property, to-wit: $4,037.00 in U.S. Currency, the property of the City of Tuskegee in the possession of the Tuskegee Police Chief Lester Patrick, and having a value in excess of $2,500.00 dollars, with the intent to deprive the owner of the said property, in violation of Section 13A-8-3 of the Code of Alabama, against the peace and dignity of the State of Alabama."
"It was a case where a police officer obtained drugs and money as part of their police work and the money is supposed to be secured," said Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford.
"It's unfortunate when one does not use good judgement," said Mayor Ford.
WSFA 12 News was unable to reach Nelms and Rucker to get their side of their story. Mayor Ford, meantime, says the city has already taken steps to make sure this doesn't happen again.
"Because we made a mistake in not securing the money this city has taken action to set up a separate safety deposit box to make sure in the future there will be more accountability," Ford said.
Ford called Nelms and Rucker 'seasoned' officers. Court records show Nelms has already posted his $15,000 bond. As of late Thursday Rucker was still in the Macon County Jail. Both are expected to face arraignment on February 21.
www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5991233
District Attorney E. Paul Jones confirmed the arrests to WSFA.com and copies of the two indictments set out the charges. Jones says the investigation started with the resignation of then police officer Michael Rucker.
Other sources tell WSFA that's when Tuskegee Police Chief Lester Patrick conducted his standard audit and discovered the money missing. The discovery led to a much broader investigation by the district attorney and the Alabama Bureau of Investigation. Authorities arrested Nelms on Wednesday and Rucker Thursday.
Concerning former police officer Rucker the indictment reads:
"The Grand Jury of Said County charges that before the finding of this Indictment, Michael Rucker, whose name is otherwise unknown to the Grand Jury, did knowingly obtain or exert unauthorized control over the following property, to-wit: $14,000.00 in U.S. Currency, the property of the City of Tuskegee in the possession of the Tuskegee Police Chief Lester Patrick, and having a value in excess of $2,500.00 dollars, with the intent to deprive the owner of the said property, in violation of Section 13A-8-3 of the Code of Alabama, against the peace and dignity of the State of Alabama."
Concerning officer James Nelms, who also resigned, his indictment reads:
"The Grand Jury of Said County charges that before the finding of this Indictment, James Nelms, whose name is otherwise unknown to the Grand Jury, did knowingly obtain or exert unauthorized control over the following property, to-wit: $4,037.00 in U.S. Currency, the property of the City of Tuskegee in the possession of the Tuskegee Police Chief Lester Patrick, and having a value in excess of $2,500.00 dollars, with the intent to deprive the owner of the said property, in violation of Section 13A-8-3 of the Code of Alabama, against the peace and dignity of the State of Alabama."
"It was a case where a police officer obtained drugs and money as part of their police work and the money is supposed to be secured," said Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford.
"It's unfortunate when one does not use good judgement," said Mayor Ford.
WSFA 12 News was unable to reach Nelms and Rucker to get their side of their story. Mayor Ford, meantime, says the city has already taken steps to make sure this doesn't happen again.
"Because we made a mistake in not securing the money this city has taken action to set up a separate safety deposit box to make sure in the future there will be more accountability," Ford said.
Ford called Nelms and Rucker 'seasoned' officers. Court records show Nelms has already posted his $15,000 bond. As of late Thursday Rucker was still in the Macon County Jail. Both are expected to face arraignment on February 21.
www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5991233