A former Cheshire police officer has been accused of stealing almost $21,000 from the police union he once served, according to the State’s Attorney office.
Authorities say Jay D. Markella, 46, of Maple Street in Cheshire, stole more than $6,100 from the union’s money market account, $14,000 from its checking account and another $1,000 using a credit card issued for union use. Investigators believe the thefts occurred between April 2007 and October 2012.
According to officials, Markella served as the union treasurer from January 2005 until he was promoted to Captain, a non-union position, in September 2010. He resigned from the Cheshire Police Department in 2013, according to police.
The investigation was prompted by a complaint filed by the Cheshire police department and leaders of the Cheshire police union in February 2013.
Authorities say Markella was charged with one count of Larceny in the First Degree. He was arrested and released on a $20,000 non-surety bond and will be arraigned in Superior Court in Meriden, on Sept. 24, 2014.
