LOS ANGELES - An Irwindale
police officer pleaded not guilty Wednesday to stealing his 89-year-old
father's life savings, $250,000, which was hidden in a garage.
Dennis Alva, 47, was arraigned
at Los Angeles Superior Court on charges of grand theft, second-degree burglary
and elder abuse, according to Jane Robison, spokeswoman for the District
Attorney's Office.
She said the father notified
Azusa police after discovering the money he had hidden throughout his garage in
Azusa was missing. She said the money was the father's life savings.
Alva, who is a patrol officer
with the Irwindale Police Department, surrendered Wednesday in court. He'll be
back in court May 6 so a date can be set for his preliminary hearing.
If convicted of all the
charges, Robison said Alva faces up to four years in county jail.
Azusa police Lt. Steve Hunt said
the money hasn't been recovered. The victim reported the theft on Dec. 24, he
said,
The alleged theft took place
over several years, according to Hunt. Detectives don't know what Alva spent
the money on.
Azusa police presented the case
in March to the District Attorney's Justice System Integrity Division which
filed the charges against Alva on Wednesday.
Irwindale Police Chief Dennis
Smith wouldn't say if Alva is on leave, when the department started its
administrative investigation and when it will be completed.
"I can't comment on a
personnel matter," he said.
It's not clear if Alva is out
on bond because his name doesn't appear in the sheriff's booking system.
Two other members of the
Irwindale Police are also being investigated, Both for alleged sexual
misconduct.
A former sergeant was accused
of sexually assaulting a woman during a traffic stop in October.
City officials wouldn't confirm
the name of the sergeant or the allegation. They did say an administrative
investigation was concluded and that the sergeant is no longer with the police
department. Citing privacy laws, they didn't say if he was fired or if he quit.
Irwindale police also asked the
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to investigate.
Another officer was also placed
on administrative leave after he was accused of having inappropriate
relationships with Explorer Scouts. As with the former sergeant, police
launched an internal probe and asked the sheriff's department to do an
investigation on the allegation.