Officer Accused Of Stealing Over $100K From LA County Police Union

BALDWIN PARK, CA — A former police officer in Baldwin Park pleaded not guilty on Monday to the theft of more than $100,000 from his police union over an 18-month period when he served as the organization's treasurer, according to prosecutors.

Andres Villalobos, 35, pleaded not guilty to 29 felony counts of grand theft, two felony counts of possession of a destructive device or explosive and one felony count of commercial burglary, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Villalobos was elected treasurer of the Baldwin Park Police Association in December 2021. Between July of the following year and August 2023, prosecutors claim he made unauthorized transfers of union funds into his own personal online account.

Villalobos is responsible for losses totaling $104,947, prosecutors claim.

Villalobos, who has since been terminated from the Baldwin Park Police Department, also had two flash-bang grenades at his home, prosecutors claim.

"Stealing funds that are provided by, and are meant to help fellow police officers, is a serious betrayal of trust," District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement. "Wearing a badge is not a shield from being held accountable, and my office will continue to hold law enforcement officers who break the law to the same standards as everyone else."

If convicted as charged, Villalobos faces up to 26 years and eight months in state prison, prosecutors said.

He's due back in court Nov. 24. He is being held in lieu of $1.6 million bail, according to the DA's office.