IMPD Officer Fired, Charged In Theft Investigation

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer has been charged in a theft investigation resulting in his job being terminated. IMPD said Chief Brian Roach fired Probationary Officer Juan Baez from the department on Monday after an investigation by Johnson County authorities concluded, which determined Baez had filed false police reports and had pawned items he claimed were stolen. He was a one-year veteran and had been assigned to Southeast District Late Shift with the IMPD.

IMPD said it was notified of the investigation by Johnson Co. officials, leading to the IMPD Special Investigations Unit (SIU) joining authorities. Police said the IMPD SIU presented Baez's case to the Marion County Prosecutor's Office who filed formal charges of counterfeiting, theft and false informing against the officer.

During the investigation, Baez was placed on administrative leave on Sept. 6, before being terminated four days later, according to IMPD.

"IMPD officers are held to the highest standards, not only by the department but by the Indianapolis community," the department said in a release. "The actions of one does not reflect the outstanding work and sacrifice that over 1600 men and women of the IMPD do each and every day in serving their community."

Anyone with information on criminal activity should call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477 (TIPS).

Image via Shutterstock