Saturday, April 26, 2014

Officer Aaron Henson Arrested for Stealing Money

The Waukesha County district attorney is reviewing an investigation into a former village of Bloomfield and village of Genoa City police officer suspected of stealing money from the Genoa City Police Department.

Aaron E. Henson, 36, of N1155 Walworth St., Genoa City, was arrested April 16 at his home on suspicion of theft and misconduct in public office, Walworth County Sheriff's Office Captain of Investigations Dana Nigbor said.

Henson was filmed stealing $2,128.30 from the police department's bond box in April, according to a search warrant affidavit.

Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel will decide if charges should be filed, Walworth County District Attorney Daniel Necci said.

Henson worked as a Bloomfield police officer for five years while working part-time as a Genoa City police officer, according to a Bloomfield Police Department news release.

Henson resigned from the Bloomfield Police Department on April 17, the release states.

Genoa City Police Chief Joseph Balog was told by administrative assistant Maria Mayer on April 7 that money was missing from the department's bond box, the affidavit states.

Over the next several days, the Mayer monitored the bond box by photographing cash and writing down the serial numbers of bills put into the box. She also installed a video camera in “the area of the bond box," according to the affidavit.

On April 15, Mayer checked the box and found money missing. She checked the video recording and found that it shows Henson removing bond envelopes and money, according to the affidavit.

The police department brought the case to the Walworth County Sheriff's Office, Nigbor said, and a search warrant was executed as part of the investigation.

Henson was “very cooperative” when arrested, and $400 was recovered, Nigbor said.

Necci said theft by a police officer is “awfully uncommon” for the county.

The Walworth County District Attorney's Office is reviewing all open cases involving Henson to see if and how the former officer's actions could affect other cases.

Henson was released on a signature bond April 17.

He is scheduled to appear in court 1:15 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at the Walworth County Judicial Center.