Miami-Dade police officer stole drug money, police say

Officer Armando Socarras faces grand theft charge

MIAMI-DADE, Fla. – A 10-year veteran Miami-Dade police officer was arrested Friday for grand theft, police said.

Armando Socarras, 30, was working as a detective with the narcotics bureau when he took $1,300 in cash during a street level sales investigation, police said. He was relieved of duty with pay. 

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Socarras was accused of taking the money after detectives seized about $17,400 in suspected drug money. When they got back to the station, Socarras reported seizing about $16,100 instead of the $17,400, police said. 

An arrest report said the department's compliance bureau started an investigation "concerning thefts by detectives assigned to the MDPD Narcotics Bureau" on Thursday.

The theft happened after Socarras and others responded to the Inn of Homestead, 1020 North Homestead Blvd., to execute a search warrant at one of the motel rooms.  

Police said Socarras told his colleagues Thursday afternoon -- after they found the money in his car -- that he took it for "personal reasons."

 


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