As treasurer, he was entrusted with managing the police union’s funds. Prosecutors say officers stole $100,000
A former Baldwin Park police officer pleaded not guilty Monday to charges that he stole more than $100,000 from the city’s police association during his 18 months as treasurer, Los Angeles County prosecutors said.
Andres Villalobos, 35, faces 29 felony counts of grand larceny, two felony counts of possession of explosives and one felony count of commercial burglary, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors allege that between July 2022 and August 2023, Villalobos made a series of unauthorized transfers from the Baldwin Park Police Association’s bank account to its online account. Officials said the damage totaled $104,947.
“Theft of funds provided by a police officer and intended to help other officers is a serious betrayal of trust,” the Los Angeles County Police Department said. Atty. Nathan J. Hochman. “Wearing a badge is no shield from responsibility.”
An attorney representing Villalobos could not be reached for comment Monday.
Villalobos was elected treasurer of the police association in late 2021 and is responsible for managing its finances, authorities said. The labor group represents Baldwin Park police personnel.
He was reportedly initially arrested on corruption charges in December 2023 and has since been fired. Report.
Baldwin Park police did not respond to a request for more details about his employment.
Investigators also found two flash-bang grenades during a search of Villalobos’ home, but prosecutors did not say where he obtained the explosives.
Villalobos maintained his innocence at a Nov. 10 arraignment hearing and his bail was set at $1.6 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 24 in a downtown Los Angeles court.
If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 26 years and eight months in state prison.
“My office will continue to hold law enforcement officers who break the law accountable to the same standard as everyone else,” Hochman said.
