WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The West Palm Beach Police Department said an officer was arrested Wednesday after he failed to return a rented U-Haul box truck almost two years after it was first rented.
The officer, Gregory McDonald, 32, was booked at the Palm Beach County Jail and charged with Failure to Return Hired Vehicle.
West Palm Beach Police Sgt. David Lefont said McDonald was immediately relieved of his duty and placed on administrative leave.
An arrest report says U-Haul representatives contacted McDonald 10 times from Nov. 17, 2017 to Nov. 28, 2017 requesting he return the truck.
In January 2018, U-Haul reported the vehicle as stolen to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. The vehicle wasn't located until Oct. 23, 2019 at a residence in the 13000 block of 57th Place in unincorporated West Palm Beach.
PBSO said McDonald was later contacted, and he identified himself as the renter of the U-Haul truck and also indicated that his property was still inside.
"We understand the level of trust and integrity our community expects from its officers, and we hold our officers to that standard," said Lefont in a written statement.
Court records show McDonald's bond is set at $3,000.
He was hired by the department in August 2014.