May 19, 2011 Tempe police officer charged with theft from evidence facility www.privateofficer.com
Officer Elliott Campbell, an 11-year veteran of the department, was taken into custody Tuesday morning on charges of theft, forgery and tampering with evidence.
“This is a hard one,” said Tempe police Sgt. Steve Carbajal. “I have known Detective Campbell for a long time. But this needed to be done and we did it the right way.”
Carbajal said Campbell was placed on administrative leave in April as police investigated allegations
that Campbell had done contract work without a contractor’s license.
Investigators also learned that Campbell’s driver’s license had been suspended after he failed to appear for a radar citation issued in Mesa.
During a search of his work vehicle, police found four evidence envelopes which had been checked out of the Tempe Police Property Facility on March 19, 2008.
Carbajal said each of the envelopes contained gift cards seized during a fraudulent schemes investigation handled by Campbell.
During a check of the envelopes, a gift card for Target and one for Costco were found to be missing.
Investigators tracked the cards and discovered both had been used at stores near Campbell’s home. Carbajal said it was determined Campbell used the cards.
It was also discovered that a refrigerator, a washing machine, a watch and some tools had been checked out of the evidence facility by Campbell, who reportedly told custodians that he was going to return the
property to the owner.
When detectives served a search warrant at Campbell’s residence, they reportedly located all of the items, except the
washer, which Campbell later said he’d given to a friend.
During a post-arrest interview Tuesday, Campbell admitted to checking the items out of the property and evidence facility, using the gift cards, and taking the refrigerator to his house which he kept for his personal use.
Campbell resigned from his position with the department on Tuesday afternoon.
There is no evidence that other Tempe police employees were involved in the crimes, Carbajal said.
“This circumstance is most unfortunate for the Tempe Police Department and the law enforcement community,”
Chief of Police Tom Ryff stated. “We are committed to the highest standards and will ensure that in partnership with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, that Mr. Campbell is held accountable both criminally and administratively for his violation of public trust.”
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