Upper Darby police officer suspected of stealing evidence

UPPER DARBY, Pa. (WPVI) -- A 15 year veteran of the Upper Darby Police force is suspected of stealing drugs and cash from the evidence room, and now the Delaware County District Attorney has launched a probe into the alleged theft.

Action News is not naming the officer because he hasn't been formally charged. But multiple sources tell Action News the detective at the center of the investigation is one of two people in charge of the evidence room at Upper Darby Police.

Another investigator in charge of the evidence room became suspicious last week, launching the probe that is now being led by the Delaware County District Attorney's Office.

Upper Darby Police Superintendent Mike Chitwood tells us, "It was brought to our attention by one of our criminal investigators that there were some discrepancies in evidence. As a result of that we did an audit and we are working with the District Attorney's Office to find out what that audit shows."

Sources say the officer in question is suspected of stealing thousands of dollars, prescription drugs, and other narcotics.

They say he was involved in car accident while on the job several years ago and became addicted to pain killers.

He was also dealing with financial difficulties.

This past weekend as the probe gained steam, he checked into a rehab center in Bucks County.

Exactly how long and how much evidence may have been stolen is unclear.

Superintendent Chitwood says the evidence room is home to thousands of pieces of evidence.

As for the alleged thefts potential impact on criminal cases, Chitwood says, "I think it's too early to tell that."

Chitwood says all the findings will be made public once the audit and the investigation are completed.