Four Officers Prank Goes Wrong, One Officer Arrested

GRETNA, La.

A Gretna police officer is under arrest and three others have been fired over what the police chief said was "a practical joke that went way too far."

Chief Arthur Lawson said the incident stems from a prank at a bar in December.

The four officers allegedly took part in a prank to hide someone’s motorcycle. Investigators said that the motorcycle was reported stolen after it was hidden, and Officer Gustavo Rivera, as well as the other three officers, denied any knowledge of the event.

Surveillance footage from the bar proves otherwise, investigators said.

"I guess the practical joke got out of hand and turned into criminal activity," Lawson. "Not only was the officer knowledgeable, but he knew the individual on the motorcycle."

The investigation is being handled by Gretna police and the Westbank Major Crimes Task Force.

"As I said in a recent interview, ‘Yes, it's a sad day, but something that I’m proud of. No one else has to arrest our officers we arrest our own,’" Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said.

The motorcycle has since been recovered.

"I think it sends a message that this type of criminal activity will not be tolerated," Lawson said.

The chief said that if the officers had just owned up to the prank, the proceedings never would have arrived at this point.

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Video: http://www.wdsu.com/video/18763047/index.html

More Information: http://www.wdsu.com/video/18763047/index.html

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I almost have to disagree on this one. It was just a PRANK that went too far. I don't think they need to lose their job because of this or be arrested. As long as it was between friends they need to apologize and move on.
I've done something similar to this with a friends car several years ago as a prank. We (other friends) laughed our ass off until an officer pulled up and our friend quickly went to tell the officer that his van just got stolen. I had to quickly rush to the scene and stop the proceedings before it became worse. The officer was pissed when I told him it was just a prank, but we quickly went on our way without a charge.
Damn...what's the world coming too when I'm on their side?...lol.