LAPD Officer Arrested For Allegedly Stealing Vehicle From Used Car Dealership In Orange
ORANGE (CBSLA) — An LAPD officer has been arrested on suspicion of stealing a car in the city of Orange.
Matthew Calleros, 45, was arrested Monday in connection with a vehicle reported stolen from a car dealership in the 1100 block of West Chapman Avenue on Oct. 25, 2019. Calleros was released Tuesday and a court date was not available, according to Orange County sheriff's jail records.
"Detectives from the Orange Police Department developed an investigative lead in the case, identifying the suspect as 45-year-old Matthew Calleros, a police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department," a statement from Orange police officials said.
The LAPD says it was made aware Monday of the criminal investigation involving Calleros, who is assigned to the department's Hollenbeck Division.
"Our investigation led us to believe it was a current LAPD officer," said Sgt. Phil McMullin. "We worked and had cooperation with LAPD who helped us out. We went there last night and arrested him and recovered the stolen truck as well."
B&J Car Company manager Gino Gonzalez remembers helping the man who wore a Dodgers cap in a county that for the most part roots for the Angels.
"I told him, 'Hey, I have another buddy that bleeds blue.' Little did I know how blue he really was," said Gonzalez.
Officials said Calleros is a veteran officer of at least 20 years who was taken into custody at the end of his shift. Court records show that he filed for bankruptcy earlier this year.
"We are fully cooperating with the Orange Police Department and we have also initiated our own personnel investigation," the LAPD said in its statement.
Calleros has been assigned to home, and his peace officer powers suspended pending the outcome of the investigations, according to the LAPD.
"It's troublesome,' said Gonzalez. "I mean you figure there are a lot of criminals out there, you'd never think an officer of the law who is hired to obtain and protect would be doing stuff like that. It takes me by surprise."
The owner of the small independent car lot said he's lost a lot more than the truck which will now be sold at auction.
He said that since filing a claim about the stolen truck, he's paying more than double in liability insurance.
Calleros has since bailed out of jail.
