Jacksonville, FL — A Neptune Beach Police Officer has been arrested for grand theft.
Officer Chris Ortiz was arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office early this morning following a two month investigation.
Neptune Beach Police asked JSO for assistance with the investigation after three complaints that the officer stole money from a car rather than turn it in as evidence.
“Mr. Ortiz had been a member of the Neptune Beach Police Department for one year, four days, and has performed his duties well to that point”, said Neptune Beach Chief Richard Pike.
According to JSO Undersheriff Pat Ivey, Ortiz gave an admission. But he did not elaboration on the details of that admission.
“The integrity of the agency is something we take very serious”, said Chief Pike. “We will not tolerate any misconduct in the Neptune Beach Police Department and if you do you will be handled with the harshest of punishment”.
Ortiz has prior experience with the Jacksonville Beach Police Department. He is now on administrative leave during the investigation.
In March, Action News Jax reported that Ortiz gave a man a bicycle after his had been stolen.
He bought the man a bicycle with his own money, Neptune Beach police said at the time.
On March 5, 2017 Patrol Officers responded to a theft at a local business, in which two transient men were seen stealing...
Posted by Neptune Beach Police Department on Thursday, March 9, 2017
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