May 28--LOGANSPORT -- Former Logansport police officer Carlos Paul Leal was arrested Friday afternoon on charges of theft, and officials Saturday said the counts stem from two separate investigations.
In one case, Leal is accused of misusing a city-issued gas card. That investigation led to his firing last month from the police department.
In the second case, the former officer is accused of making a false claim as part of an enforcement operation funded by a federal grant.
Leal, 32, of Delphi turned himself in to Cass County Jail about 4:45 p.m. Friday after a warrant was issued for his arrest, Sheriff Randy Pryor said.
County Prosecutor Kevin Enyeart said the warrant was issued for two class D felony charges of theft.
"There were two separate issues," he said.
Leal could not be reached Saturday for comment. He had already bonded out of jail.
The officer was fired from the Logansport Police Department on April 5 for charging "inappropriate expenses to a city account," Mayor Ted Franklin said at the time. He declined to say what the expenses were or how much money was involved.
Franklin also said the move came after an internal investigation and that a report of that investigation would be filed with the prosecutor's office shortly after that date.
The mayor did not return a call for comment Saturday.
Enyeart said Saturday that one charge of theft related to Leal's use of a city gas card to fill up his personal vehicle, which is what the internal investigation focused on.
The matter then was investigated further by the Indiana State Police, which just wrapped up its portion, the prosecutor said.
Enyeart said he filed a second count of theft based on an investigation into a claim Leal filed during an enforcement operation targeting drunk drivers in March.
He said retired Lt. Cathi Collins, LPD Operation Pullover coordinator, investigated that incident.
Reached Saturday, Collins said that officers working such enforcement pushes, which are funded by federal grants, must file paperwork for their time.
Leal reported working two days during Operation Pullover, but when reviewing his paperwork, Collins determined the "documentation that he turned in to me did not appear to be legitimate," she said.
She said could not elaborate further on the matter.
It's unclear if an initial hearing date has been set in the case.
Enyeart said the charges are punishable by up to three years in prison.
--Dustin Kass is associate editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at 574-732-5150 or [email protected].
Copyright 2012 - Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, Ind.
