READING,
Pa. (AP) - A police officer in eastern Pennsylvania has been charged with
stealing thousands of dollars from the police department's evidence room to
fund his gambling habit.
Forty-seven-year-old
Jodi Royer surrendered to Berks County detectives Wednesday to face charges
including theft and evidence tampering.
Investigators
said an audit of the Reading police department's evidence and property room
determined that nearly $15,000 from four cases was stolen. In additional cases
that were identified, authorities said Royer replaced the stolen money with his
own funds.
The
alleged thefts occurred between April 2011 and March of this year.
Royer
is a 24-year-veteran of the force and is on medical leave.
Reading
police Chief William Heim said Royer is being placed on suspension with the
intent to dismiss.
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