A Los Angeles Police Department officer was arrested on Aug. 8 on a felony warrant for burglary and theft of a debit card.
Officer Edmond Babaians, who was assigned to the Custody Services Division, which operates the department’s jails, was booked in the department’s Valley Jail Section and released on his own recognizance, according to the police department.
The department’s Internal Affairs Division opened an internal investigation after a member of the public contacted the police regarding a missing debit card that she recalled having inside a department facility and later noticed unauthorized transactions on her bank statement, police said.
The victim obtained photos of the person making purchases with her debit card at a home improvement store and forwarded the pictures to the police to identify the person using her card. The person using the car was identified as Mr. Babaians, according to the police department.
“The allegations of an officer breaking public trust are extremely troubling and there must be accountability. This department will fully cooperate with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office in this matter,” said police Chief Michel Moore.
Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement saying, “Our police officers must be held accountable to the highest standard. I want to acknowledge and thank Chief Moore and Los Angeles Police Department leadership for swiftly taking action on this serious matter. The integrity of our police department is of the utmost importance and we must continue to act with transparency and accountability to build trust with all Angelenos.”
Mr. Babaians, a 16-year Los Angeles police veteran, was relieved of his police powers and was assigned to his home pending the outcome of the department’s administrative and criminal investigation.
