PHOENIX (CBS5) -
A former Phoenix police sergeant retired before he could be fired when he learned he was under investigation for stealing.
CBS 5 News broke the story in July. At that time, Phoenix police confirmed Sgt. Arnold Davis was the subject of both an internal and a criminal investigation.
Phoenix police higher-ups refused to release any information on the circumstances which led to Davis' retirement, but sources told CBS 5 News that the supervisor was caught on surveillance video pocketing several thousands of dollars in cash from a business while he was responding there on official duty.
Through a series of public records requests, CBS 5 News has obtained that surveillance video.
The video shows Davis looking through an office trying to find a phone number or contact information to alert the owner of Phoenix Tax Pros that the business had been broken into.
Then, when no one else is in the room, Davis is seen opening a desk drawer and almost immediately pulling something out and placing it in his pocket.
The police report indicates what Davis pulled out was a pile of cash amounting to $3,340.
The owner of the business found what he called the "shocking" discovery the next day when reviewing the surveillance tape.
Police documents are nearly as telling as this video. A report said Davis began asking officers if the carbon monoxide detector was also a camera and then told them to not mention he asked that. Davis later told internal affairs he was asking because if they had surveillance, they'd be able to catch the initial burglar. The owner of Tax Pros also thought he acted fishy, over-friendly and asked that they hand over any surveillance video right away.
Special investigators interviewed Davis. During that interview, Davis is quoted in the police report as saying, "I'm not going to admit to something that didn't happen." When asked what happened to the owner's money, Davis is also quoted as saying, "I didn't see any money."
Phoenix police turned the report over to the county attorney's office, asking Davis be charged with felony theft. No decision has yet been made on charging Davis.
Davis did not come to his door when CBS 5 News attempted to contact him at home.
Davis joined the department in December 1993. He bought back military time to reach 20 years of service required for retirement. He retired with full benefits.
If he is charged and ultimately convicted of a felony, he could be required to pay any restitution ordered out of his retirement funds. But once that amount is fulfilled, state law allows for him to continue collecting his benefits.
On Wednesday, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office said they will not base any pleas on effects it'll have on pensions or anything other than criminal consequences.
The tape timecode skips from 04:30:25 to 04:30:55. Per the police report, investigators say that is how the original tape recorded using the time of day. The reason for the gap in time is because the surveillance cameras operate on motion and there was not enough motion in the room at the time to activate the camera.
Copyright 2012 CBS 5 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
© CBS 5
© Surveillance video of Sgt. Arnold Davis
© CBS 5
