FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A former detective with the Fresno Police Department, accused of checking out cash from the police evidence locker and not returning it, made his first appearance in court on Thursday.
Rey Medeles was arrested last week and appeared for his arraignment inside Fresno County Superior Court on Thursday.
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In court, Medeles was answering charges of grand theft and preparing false evidence. The judge gave Medeles a series of instructions, including telling Medeles not to contact two protected persons who were named in court documents.
The attorney speaking for Medeles entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
According to the California Department of Justice, Medeles was previously with the Major Narcotics Team of the Fresno Police Department. Due to the criminal implications and concern that the alleged theft could be part of a larger-scale problem, the Fresno Police asked for the FBI’s help with the investigation…