Police Officer Stole Charity Raffle Prize: State Police

WATERTOWN, CT — An off-duty Watertown Police officer was arrested after he allegedly tampered with raffle drawings and stole a raffle prize at a charity golf tournament, according to State Police. The officer then got into a physical confrontation with a person who accused him of the theft.

Christopher Masayda, 26, took a watch and bracelet donated by a local jeweler, police said. The items were valued at $595. A person confronted Masayda and Masayda tried to take the person's phone which was used to record him taking the items, according to police.

Masayda was arrested Nov. 6 for the Oct. 11 incident. He was charged with fifth-degree larceny and breach of peace.

He admitted to police that he stole the raffle prize and soon after felt bad and turned around to put the items back, but was confronted by the witness, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Masayda's attorney Daniel Esposito said the moment wasn't his finest hour, noting that he had saved a teenager from hanging himself in 2016.

"To allow a regrettable afternoon to overshadow a life devoted to the protection of others is unfair," Esposito said. "Chris didn't steal anything and he certainly didn't get in a fight because of it."

Image via State Police