Springfield former Police Officer Kevin M. Burnham, who is now retired, was arraigned last Monday in superior court on theft charges. He is being accused of stealing around $400,000 in cash from the evidence room of the department.
The 43-year-old veteran officer retired in the summer of 2014. According to WWLP, Burnham turned himself in earlier in the day. He has been charged with six counts of stealing more than $250 and one count of theft less than $250.
As for the Massachusetts Attorney General's office, it stated that the stolen money came from some 170 various drug cases, as was also stated by Mass Live. Burnham allegedly took them between the time from December 2009 to July 2014. Burnham, who was considered as the longest-serving member of the department at the time he retired, worked as the department's narcotics evidence officer since 1984. He was the officer-in-charge of the storage and safekeeping of drug and money evidence, which explains how he was said to be able to steal money.
Police Commissioner John Barbieri stated during a news conference at police headquarters last Monday how he was shocked by the robbery as it led to the return of funds to accused drug dealers, as well as to some cases being dismissed.
"I've been a police officer in Springfield for 28 years. I cannot remember anything happening of this magnitude in this department," Barbieri said.
Apparently, he was not the only one shocked as the Springfield's police commissioner and mayor expressed astonishment as well. This was because Charles Dolan, Burnham's attorney, said that his client pleaded not guilty since the defense has no information regarding the details and nature of the accusations, ABC News stated.
Following after Burnham's not guilty plea, he was released on personal recognizance, provided that he agreed to surrender his passport. He must turn over his guns too, and to inform his probation officer once he travels outside the state. In addition, he will also be examined by a court clinican.
Measures are now being implemented to make sure that a theft like this prevents from happening again. The measures included command structure change and new equipment purchase for a better cash tracking.
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