PANAMA CITY — A Panama City Police officer has been arrested and fired after allegedly stealing an Apple iPad on its way to the police property holding room.
Officer Brandon Mistric, 33, has been charged with grand theft of more than $300 after an iPad came up missing as a group of individuals were being booked into the Panama City Police Department, according to his arrest affidavit. He was arrested and his employment with PCPD terminated Friday, PCPD officials reported.
PCPD spokesman Officer Richard Thore said it was the first time police have had to investigate one of their own on this type of charge in recent memory.
“It’s a terrible day for the department when we have to investigate one of our own,” Thore said.
Mistric, an officer for about four years with PCPD, was released Friday as criminal charges proceed.
According to arrest reports, as five individuals were being booked into PCPD on July 19 for unrelated charges, an iPad was taken into police possession. When the individuals were released, one of them complained of missing the iPad that was supposed to be in PCPD’s property holding.
Police began investigating Mistric and found the iPad at his home Oct. 1, authorities reported. Mistric knew the owner was looking for the iPad but did not attempt to return the property in that time, according to his arrest report.
Police reported that Mistric admitted to taking the iPad at the time of his arrest.
Mistric pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance Thursday. He filed for criminal indigent status during his first appearance, claiming an annual income of $30,000.
The charge against Mistric is a felony. After it is processed through the courts, Mistric’s police certification will be reviewed by a review board. While PCPD will certainly not rehire Mistric, his ability to work in law enforcement elsewhere in the state would come into question, Thore said.
“If I understand their history of revoking certifications for lesser offenses correctly, he probably won’t work in law enforcement again,” Thore said.