DA says W. Pa. police had missing money, evidence

The Associated Press, Lebanon Daily News
Link to Article

Lebanon, PA

A prosecutor says officers at a western Pennsylvania police department should be made to take lie detector and drug tests after money and evidence was found missing from its evidence room.

Washington County District Attorney Steve Toprani says record-keeping at the California Borough police department was poor and that too many officers had keys to the room where more than $1,600 and a large amount of marijuana seized by police are missing.

Former police Chief Rick Encapera is suing the borough over his demotion. His attorney, Keith Melenyzer, says the chief was overwhelmed because he had three officers out on disability leave at one point.

Melenyzer says he doesn't know of any cases being dismissed due to the missing evidence.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
International Association for Property and Evidence
"Law Enforcement Serving the Needs of Law Enforcement"
www.IAPE.org