By Khalida Sarwari
Two San Jose police officers were arrested and charged today with felony grand theft following an investigation into allegations that they embezzled $120,000 from a Latino police officers organization.
The officers are San Jose Police Officer Marco Ybarra and former San Jose Police Officer Manuel Villagrana.
Both are 37-year-old residents of San Jose and former members of the San Jose chapter of the National Latino Peace Officers Association, a nonprofit organization that seeks to eliminate discrimination and improve police-citizen relations by engaging in political activism.
The primary focus of the organization is to award scholarships to minority students through fundraising efforts and donation solicitations.
Officers arrested Ybarra and Villagrana this morning following a nine month-long investigation by police.
Investigators allege that Ybarra, when he served as treasurer of the San Jose chapter from 2005 to 2006, withdrew cash totaling $19,900 from the LPOA account and separately issued himself two $10,000 checks drawn on LPOA funds that he deposited into his personal bank account.
Villagrana is accused of withdrawing $83,900 in cash from the LPOA’s account between 2007 and 2009, while he was president of the San Jose chapter.
John Chase, who is prosecuting the case, said they withdrew the money in dozens of transactions. He would not disclose how Ybarra and Villagrana spent the money.
The investigation initially began in late 2009 after an investigative committee formed by the LPOA’s state governing board discovered financial irregularities within the local chapter.
“They heard from various sources that the San Jose chapter was having serious financial problems and that some of the donors and some members were complaining about the way it was being run,” Chase said.
The board then brought the complaint to the San Jose Police Department who interviewed numerous members — including those on the executive board — and analyzed bank records and other financial documents as part of its investigation.
“These allegations represent a clear violation of public trust and it’s always difficult for the Police Department when members are accused of crimes like these,” Sgt. Jason Dwyer, a spokesman for the department, said. “But we have to try to not be distracted by this, remain professional and continue to serve the public.”
Villagrana is a 15-year veteran of the San Jose Police Department. He was fired in August due to an unrelated “personnel issue,” Dwyer said.
Ybarra is a 9-year veteran and was arrested while on duty today.
Ybarra and Villagrana were booked into Santa Clara County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.
