A Jacksonville Sheriff's Office police officer was arrested on charges of petit theft. Shane Metz, the officer in question, stands accused of taking a woman's purse following her arrest in December and not logging it as her personal property. Metz was released on a $500 bond with a next court date scheduled for April 23, as detailed by Action News Jax.
Additionally, Director of Investigations and Homeland Security at JSO, Mark Romano, shared that during the course of the investigation it was discovered that Metz threw the victim's purse into a dumpster at an apartment complex, a story confirmed by First Coast News; the victim had reported the missing purse on March 20, after which JSO took prompt action leading to Metz's arrest on March 27, and subsequently, his resignation from the police force where he had served for two years and seven months.
As Romano stated, "If investigators find that there is probable cause to support a criminal allegation of a JSO employee after a comprehensive investigation, this agency will hold that employee accountable," emphasizing the Sheriff's Office's commitment to integrity within its ranks; meanwhile Shane Metz's employment records showed that he had been with JSO for a period of two years and seven months, notes were provided by Jacksonville Today.
Furthermore, Jacksonville Today reported the bag's contents were searched by Metz before he disposed of it behind a Mandarin apartment complex, highlighting the seriousness of the breach of protocol, meanwhile his quick resignation following the arrest appears to be an admission of guilt prior to his scheduled court appearance making the case that much more pointed for observers and adding another layer of complexity to a department already scrutinized for the conduct of its officers.
