Police Officer Arrested On Felony Charges, Accused Of 'Brazen' Theft Of $800K From Alabama Business: DA

MOUNT VERNON, NY — A Mount Vernon police officer is facing felony theft charges, according to prosecutors.

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace says that 26-year-old Brandon Hunter-Carney, a Mount Vernon police officer, was arrested on Wednesday, by DA's Office investigators, in connection to the cashing of a stolen check worth over $800,000, deposited into the bank account of a business incorporated in his name just days earlier.

The Mount Vernon resident was charged with felony second-degree criminal possession of stolen property, and felony second-degree grand larceny.

Hunter-Carney was arraigned on a felony complaint Wednesday afternoon in Mount Vernon City Court, where the judge released him on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to return to court on May 13.

"As my office has alleged, the defendant stole over $800,000 from an unsuspecting business as part of a brazen check-fraud scheme," Cacace said. "This is totally unacceptable and represents a serious breach of trust by an individual who would later swear an oath to uphold the laws of this state. My message to the Westchester community is this: No one is above the law. No one is above accountability."

According to the felony complaint, on Jan. 25, 2023, Hunter-Carney possessed a stolen check worth $800,160 that had been issued by a prominent industrial manufacturer to an Alabama corporation named Electric Controls and Systems, Inc.

The DA says that two days earlier, a business entity named Electric Controls and Systems Inc. had been incorporated in New York, with Hunter-Carney listed as the sole incorporator, according to New York Department of State business records.

He then allegedly deposited the $800,160 check into a bank account belonging to Electric Controls and Systems Inc.

The case was investigated by the Westchester County DA's Office Investigations Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant DA John Waszak of the Special Investigations Bureau.

The Mount Vernon Police Department has placed Hunter-Carney on suspension without pay. He has been employed by the department since July 2024. After graduating from the Westchester County/Zone 3 Police Academy in December 2024, he was assigned to the Patrol Division as a patrol officer.

"The charges that he was arrested for were as a result of alleged actions he took prior to him becoming a Mount Vernon Police Officer," Mount Vernon police said in a release. "There is no allegation that Hunter-Carney was involved in any criminal activity since he has been a police officer. The Department had no knowledge of this activity prior to his hiring in July 2024."

"The Mount Vernon Police Department holds all officers and employees to high professional standards," the department added. "Conduct of this nature will not be tolerated. The Department remains committed to serving the residents and visitors of the City of Mount Vernon with professionalism and integrity."

SEE ALSO: Following Detective's Indictment, Mount Vernon Police Department Issues Statement