As treasurer, he was entrusted with the police union’s finances. Prosecutors say the officer stole $100,000

A former Baldwin Park police officer pleaded guilty Monday to charges that he stole more than $100,000 from the city’s police union during the 18 months he served as treasurer, Los Angeles County prosecutors said.

Andres Villalobos, 35, faces 29 felony counts of grand larceny, two felony counts of possession of explosives and one felony count of commercial burglary, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors allege that between July 2022 and August 2023, Villalobos made a series of unauthorized transfers from the bank account of the Baldwin Park Police Assn. to his online account. Damages totaled $104,947, officials said.

“Stealing money that is provided by the police and intended to help fellow police officers is a serious betrayal of trust,” said Los Angeles County Dist. Attiy Nathan J. Hochman “Wearing a badge is not a shield from accountability.”

An attorney representing Villalobos could not be reached for comment Monday.

Villalobos was named treasurer of the police union in late 2021, tasked with managing its finances, officials said. The labor organization represents police personnel in Baldwin Park.

He was first arrested on embezzlement charges in December 2023, and has since been dismissed from the force. Reports.

Baldwin Park police did not respond to a request for further details about his employment.

During a search of Villalobos’ home, investigators also found two flash bang grenades, although prosecutors did not say where he obtained the explosives.

Villalobos maintained his innocence at a November 10 plea hearing, and bail was set at $1.6 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 24 in a Los Angeles court.

If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 26 years and eight months in state prison.

“My office will continue to arrest law enforcement officers who break the law to the same standards as everyone else,” Hochman said.