A West Covina police officer has been accused of turning his badge into a license for theft. Officer Jose Garcia, 38, allegedly siphoned cash from motorists during routine traffic stops—most notably swiping about $600 from a driver just moments before cuffing him.
Prosecutors call the conduct a “profound betrayal” of the badge, claiming Garcia treated each pull‑over as a personal ATM. The alleged spree began in September 2024. On September 21, Garcia stopped a vehicle, broke into the driver’s handbag, and reportedly took roughly $600 before arresting the man he had just robbed.
Later charges also cite incidents on November 23, when Garcia allegedly boarded a passenger’s backpack and pocketed a $100 bill, and on February 8, 2025, when he stopped a third driver, searched the car, and seized $300 from the center console. In those two cases, the officers reportedly let the drivers go with a verbal warning.
The city learned of possible misconduct on February 10 and immediately placed Garcia on paid administrative leave pending the investigation. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said, “When an officer turns routine traffic stops into opportunities for theft, for their own benefit, it corrodes public trust and endangers the integrity of our justice system.” He added that the district will pursue every legal avenue to hold the officer and any other law‑enforcers accountable for crimes committed in the line of duty.
Garcia, who lives in Long Beach, faces one felony count of misappropriation of public funds, one felony count of grand theft by embezzlement, and two misdemeanor mysteries of petty theft. The West Covina Police Department released the officer from custody on a pledge to appear at trial. His arraignment is set for January 28, 2026, at the West Covina Courthouse.
If convicted, Garcia could serve up to four years for the crimes and an additional one‑year term for any compounded charges. Meanwhile, Police Chief Antonio Cortina said the department fully supports due process but condemned any criminal conduct—especially theft or abuse of public trust—by an officer as unacceptable and says it stands committed to accountability.
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