VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - 17 years on the Virginia Beach police force did not prevent Master Police Officer Mark Rowe from finding himself on the opposite side of the law.
Rowe was arrested Wednesday morning after police accused him of embezzling from the department.
Police say on August 29, Rowe – who was assigned to the property and evidence unit – stole an unclaimed property item out of the evidence room that was marked for destruction.
Mark Wayne Rowe was charged with one count of Misdemeanor Embezzlement.
Officers tell News 3 other officers in the department observed “unusual behavior…which was then brought to a supervisor’s attention.”
Virginia Beach police tell News 3 they have not asked an outside agency to conduct the investigation, and are conducting both the criminal and internal investigations.
Rowe is now on administrative duty pending the outcome of both the criminal and internal investigations. Police tell News 3 he is the only officer currently on administrative duty at the department.
We tried to reach him for a comment, but there was no answer when we knocked on his door, or called a listed number.
Police declined any on camera interviews.
