MERKEL, TX-- The former Merkel Chief of Police Chris Ortiz was arrested for tampering with physical evidence.
Ortiz, 40, reportedly admitted, in a voluntary meeting with Texas Rangers, he stole the money.
KTXS in Abilene reported that court records state Ortiz was having financial problems. So he took $867 from a pending drug case.
Ortiz said he would replace the money he took. He wasn’t able to replace the money because he continued to have financial trouble.
At 8:52 a.m., Ortiz was booked into the Callahan County Jail after turning himself in. He posted a $10,000 bond shortly after.
The Merkel City Council fired Ortiz last week. Sgt. Philip Conklin was named the Interim Police Chief.
Ortiz had been with the police department since 2015 and was named Chief in April 2017.
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Just a couple of days ago, Live reported a Comanche coach and teacher was arrested for theft, now a chief of Police is admitting to being a lowlife thief. Just goes to show you that a position of authority doesn't guarantee trustworthiness.
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