Former Baldwin Park officer charged with theft of more than $100,000 from police association
A former Baldwin Park police officer has been charged with stealing more than $100,000 from the Baldwin Park Police Association over an 18-month period when he served as the organization’s treasurer, officials announced Monday.
Andres Villalobos, 35, pleaded not guilty Monday to 29 felony counts of grand theft, two felony counts of possession of a destructive device or explosive and one felony count of commercial burglary, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
He is due back in court Nov. 24, when a date will be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for him to stand trial. He was being held in lieu of $1.6 million.
In December 2021, Villalobos was elected treasurer of the police union. Between July 2022 and August 2023, he is accused of making unauthorized transfers of union funds into his own personal online account.
Alleged total losses are $104,947, authorities said.
Villalobos, who has been terminated from the Baldwin Park Police Department, also allegedly had two flash-bang grenades at his home.
If convicted as charged, Villalobos faces up to 26 years and eight months in state prison, prosecutors said.
“Stealing funds that are provided by, and are meant to help fellow police officers, is a serious betrayal of trust,” District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement. “Wearing a badge is not a shield from being held accountable, and my office will continue to hold law enforcement officers who break the law to the same standards as everyone else.”
