A Texas police officer is suspected of stealing thousands of dollars in cash from the glove box of a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run late last year, authorities said Wednesday.
El Paso Police Officer Ruben Morales, 25, is at risk of being fired from his department after being accused of theft on December 13th. said in a news release.
Morales allegedly wiped the cloth as soon as he arrived at the scene of the accident.
The owner of the car immediately reported the missing cash to the police immediately after the incident, and an internal investigation was conducted.
According to El Paso Police, after an investigation, investigators discovered cash was missing from a locked glove box and a small bag left inside the vehicle.
Morales, who has been with the force for two years and lives in El Paso, is charged with theft. It’s unclear how much he allegedly stole, but the charges range from $2,500 to $30,000.
“The El Paso Police Department reaffirms its commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability within its ranks,” police said in a statement. “Any conduct that violates these standards will be thoroughly investigated and dealt with accordingly.”
Bail was set at $5,000 after his arrest.
