Former Hatboro Police Detective Accused Of Theft
By Brad Segall
HATBORO, Pa. (CBS) -- The Pennsylvania Attorney General says a former Hatboro police detective is under arrest accused of using his position of authority to steal evidence and use confidential informants to buy drugs for his personal use.
Attorney General Linda Kelly alleges that former detective sergeant John Becker, over a 13-month period, coerced informants to make numerous drug buys on his behalf under the guise of assisting with undercover drug investigations. But authorities say there were no investigations and the 42-year-old Becker was using Percocet, Oxycontin and cocaine.
Attorney General spokesman Nils Frederiksen says Becker is also accused of stealing from the evidence room.
"At least 10 firearms, $18,000 dollars in cash, other valuables, including an expensive watch and narcotics that had been used and stored as evidence in there," Frederiksen explained.
Becker is facing numerous charges, including theft, possession of a controlled substance and criminal coercion.
He turned himself in to authorities and has already waived his preliminary hearing. Bail was set at $10,000.
