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West Palm Beach police officer charged with theft, official misconduct

Posted at 11:33 AM, Jan 19, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-19 20:32:58-05

The West Palm Beach Police Department said Friday they have arrested a female officer on charges of theft and official misconduct. 

RELATED: West Palm officer arrested in December

On Dec. 7, West Palm Beach officers arrested four people and charged them with burglary. The suspects were brought to the criminal investigations division where they were interviewed by
detectives.

During property inventory, police said one of the individuals who was arrested said he was missing $100 from his property.

Police said the man was adamant that he had $600 hidden behind his cellphone case, but when a detective counted the currency in his presence, it totaled $500.

Police said a detective brought the discrepancy to the attention of the arresting officer, Crystal Homic.

Unsatisfied with Homic's response, police said the detective notified a supervisor, who checked the trash receptacles for the missing money and an original property receipt, which indicated $600 inventoried.

Police said neither of the items were located at that time.

A search of Homic's patrol vehicle yielded a property receipt she completed indicating $500.

Police said the missing $100 and the original property receipt were found inside a trash receptacle that was underneath a table where Homic was seated during this investigation and the burglary investigation, but previously checked by the supervisor. 

That same evening, police said Homic was relieved of all police powers and placed on administrative leave.

Homic was arrested and charged with theft and official misconduct on Friday.

Homic is the second officer to be arrested within the department in less than two months.

"Yeah, it's kind of like a black eye on us, but I just want the public to know, it's an isolated incident and don't judge all the other officers and the deputies because of their conduct," said John Kazanjian, President of the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association.  

Kazanjian said the PBA will be representing Homic. 

West Palm Beach Police records show Homic was hired in 2007.