A former Oxnard police officer who allegedly stole a suspect’s cash and misused a city-issued fuel card has been charged with two felonies, authorities said.
Oxnard Police Chief Jason Benites said an investigation found Randi Breon Vines, 34, allegedly took more than $1,200 from a suspect who was in custody and used the fuel card to buy more than $3,300 worth of gas for his personal vehicles.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has charged Vines with two felony counts of grand theft. During arraignment Tuesday in Ventura County Superior Court, Vines pleaded not guilty to both charges.
The former officer worked for the department from October 2017 until Sept 12. Benites declined to say whether Vines resigned or was fired.
Vines had been put on administrative leave on May 14 following an incident earlier that month involving a suspect who was arrested while carrying more than $1,300 in cash. The arresting officer took possession of the money, along with the rest of the man’s belongings, before taking him to jail.