Authorities say he was selling police department property on eBay.com.
Hagerstown, Md (KM) A Hagerstown Police Officer has been fired from the force, and charged with theft scheme and malfeasance in office.
The Department says since 2015, Sergeant Daniel Bobetich had sold 197 police items on eBay.com, including flashlights and chargers, hand held radios, body army, duty belt equipment and various electronic items used in police cruisers. The total value is $61,000. .
The investigation began in February of this year after Hagerstown Police became aware of an internal theft scheme It led to the suspension of Sergeant Bobetich’s police powers, and later his termination.
Bobetich is charged with theft scheme between $25,000 to $100,000; theft scheme between $1,000 to $10,000 and malfeasance in office.
Authorities say they’ve been contacting the buyers of this stolen property and recovering these items. .
The investigation is still ongoing, and the Department is working with the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office. The City of Hagerstown says it will seek full restitution as part of the prosecution.
In a statement, Police Chief Paul Kifer says he’s “saddened and disheartened” to inform citizens that criminal charges had been filed against an officer. “We know that our community holds us in a place of trust and commitment that has been broken by one person,” the Chief says. “I cannot and will not allow criminal and immoral conduct inside the Hagerstown Police Department.”
He thanked the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office for their guidance on criminal charges to be filed, and employees working long and hard to make sure “this investigation was thorough, timely and done without preferential treatment.”
By Kevin McManus
Daniel Bobetich