LAPD Officer Suspected Of Stealing Car From Dealership

LOS ANGELES, CA — Authorities in Orange County arrested a Los Angeles Police Department officer for allegedly stealing a vehicle from a used car lot, authorities said Tuesday.

LAPD Officer Matthew Calleros, 45, was arrested Monday and booked on suspicion of auto theft and possession of a stolen vehicle, Orange Police Department Lt. Jennifer Amat said. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Calleros has been suspended pending the outcome of the criminal investigation as wells as an internal department personnel investigation.

In a statement released Tuesday morning, the LAPD said:
"On November 9, 2020, the Los Angeles Police Department was made aware of a criminal investigation being conducted by the City of Orange Police Department involving Police Officer Matthew Calleros of the Los Angeles Police Department's Hollenbeck Division.

"We are fully cooperating with the Orange Police Department and we have also initiated our own personnel investigation. Officer Calleros has been assigned home and his peace officer powers suspended pending the outcome of both investigations."

The vehicle was reported stolen on Oct. 25, 2019, from a dealership in the 1100 block of West Chapman Avenue, Amat said.

"Detectives from the Orange Police Department developed an investigative lead in the case, identifying the suspect as 45-year-old Matthew Calleros, a police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department," Amat said in a statement.

Calleros was arrested at about 7:15 p.m. Monday, Amat said.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.