Two Toronto police officers have been charged after allegedly stealing two bottles of alcohol that they had seized from a suspect.
On Apr. 12, two officers arrested someone who had multiple outstanding warrants, and during the arrest, officers found two bottles of stolen alcohol, according to a release from Toronto Police Service (TPS). The two officers then confiscated the alcohol and took those bottles to 51 Division.
Later, the two officers were seen taking the stolen liquor to their personal vehicles, police said. Search warrants were later executed by TPS, and the alcohol was found at one officer’s home, and the other officer’s personal vehicle, according to police.
On Tuesday, 55-year-old Constable Brian James and 27-year-old Constable Thomas Victor, both of 51 Division, were arrested and charged with the following:
- Theft Under $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
- Breach of Trust
James has been with the force for 27 years, while Victor has been working with the service for five years. Both officers have been suspended with pay, police said.
James and Victor are scheduled to appear in court on June 12 at the Ontario Court of Justice.
