Two police officers arrested for stealing a wallet from man who died in a car crash

[Broseph]

Two St. Gabriel police officers who investigated a fatal car crash in August took $2,000 from the body of the man killed in the wreck, authorities said.

A tip from a disgruntled girlfriend of one of the police officers led State Police to the Thursday arrest of Keith Snowten, 23, of St. Gabriel, and Rodrick Wesley, 32, of Bayou Goula, St. Gabriel Police Chief Kevin Ambeau said.

The men were booked into Iberville Parish Prison on one count each of theft and malfeasance in office.

“These two officers committed the worst crime that they could have committed,” Ambeau said. “They violated public trust, and in doing so, they disgraced the badge.”

The theft occurred Aug. 8 when Snowten and Wesley responded to the accident in St. Gabriel, said Trooper Russell Graham II, a State Police spokesman.

Snowten allegedly took $2,000 from the wallet of the victim, then gave half of the money to Wesley, Graham said.

Both officers admitted during interviews with investigators to taking the money.

State Police began looking into the incident three weeks ago when Ambeau notified them about the allegations, Graham said.

Ambeau said the allegations first came from Charles Dwayne Rachal, the brother of the victim, James Darrin Rachal, 40, who died in the crash on La. 74.

Rachal commented in the Iberville Parish Coroner’s Office about the lack of money in his brother’s wallet when he went to pick it up shortly after the wreck, Ambeau said.

The comment got back to Ambeau, who said he questioned Snowten about the missing money.

Snowten denied seeing any cash in the wallet, Ambeau said.

The second allegation came almost two months later from Snowten’s girlfriend after the couple had an argument, Ambeau said.

“When she told me, I was at a loss for words,” he said. “We are grateful that the witness came forth with this information because the deceased cannot speak for themselves.”

Charles Rachal said Thursday he is still grieving the loss of his brother but is pleased with the arrests of Snowten and Wesley.

“It makes me feel good because now I know what happened,” he said. “I’m glad they won’t be able to do it to someone else.”

Ambeau said prior to their arrests, neither of the officers had been in trouble during their two years on the St. Gabriel police force.

“That is what makes this even more shocking,” he said, adding, “This type of behavior will not be tolerated.”

Snowten and Wesley were placed on unpaid administrative leave on Oct. 20 when the investigation began, Ambeau said. A request to fire the men will be made to the St. Gabriel City Council at its next meeting, he said.

St. Gabriel Mayor George Grace said if the men are guilty of what they are accused of doing, “it’s better off they aren’t on the force.”http://media.2theadvocate.com/images/arrested+officers+110609.jpg

[ajanthan2009]

Lol

[Frankie3s]

Sad day indeed.

[15-20_God]

so we're trolling news articles all the way from louisiana now to bash cops. Its been a banner week for OT, this and the possibilty that the ttc may raise fares by $0.25.

[V A N Q U I S H]

so we're trolling news articles all the way from louisiana now to bash cops. Its been a banner week for OT, this and the possibilty that the ttc may raise fares by $0.25.

Exactly, the standards of hiring a garbageman in the city of Toronto are probably higher than those that go into hiring a St. Gabriel police officer.

While we're at it, we can start bringing in police brutality articles and videos from overseas.

[Akraz]

Why is this here? If i wanted to read global lame news ill go to digg.com

[Emancipated]

I think Shaner can vouch for this but cops in the US are so undervalued that their pay is just a disgrace compared to others.

[help_questions]

so we're trolling news articles all the way from louisiana now to bash cops. Its been a banner week for OT, this and the possibilty that the ttc may raise fares by $0.25.

So people should be happy that TTC fares are going up? What are riders getting in return for their 25cents ? Better buses, faster service? NO. Riders get nothing more out of the fare increases. Yet, the workers get a raise while the recession continues.

[Majinvegeta]

So people should be happy that TTC fares are going up? What are riders getting in return for their 25cents ? Better buses, faster service? NO. Riders get nothing more out of the fare increases. Yet, the workers get a raise while the recession continues.

The 25 cent increase is so that you can breath aboard the bus :lol:

[tkl]

so we're trolling news articles all the way from louisiana now to bash cops. Its been a banner week for OT, this and the possibilty that the ttc may raise fares by $0.25.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Cop bashers have to look everywhere for **** to post.

[flexwong]

cops aren't perfect but the amount of bashing that happens here is ridiculous.

[15-20_God]

So people should be happy that TTC fares are going up? What are riders getting in return for their 25cents ? Better buses, faster service? NO. Riders get nothing more out of the fare increases. Yet, the workers get a raise while the recession continues.

i heard for every fare increase a baby kitten dies in heaven.

[45ED]

i heard for every fare increase a baby kitten dies in heaven.

Then there must be many a dead-due-to-fare-increase kittens in heaven.

Total detour here: isn't "baby kitten" redundant?

[15-20_God]

Total detour here: isn't "baby kitten" redundant?

this thread is about cop and ttc bashing. i think its a given that many statements in these threads don't have to make sense.

[longitude]

http://media.2theadvocate.com/images/arrested+officers+110609.jpg

Wait, that's the pic of the guys who stole the money, not the cops, right?

[grappos13]

Wait, that's the pic of the guys who stole the money, not the cops, right?

the cops are the ones that stole the money....

[Shaner]

Exactly, the standards of hiring a garbageman in the city of Toronto are probably higher than those that go into hiring a St. Gabriel police officer.

While we're at it, we can start bringing in police brutality articles and videos from overseas.

I think Shaner can vouch for this but cops in the US are so undervalued that their pay is just a disgrace compared to others.

Exactly! Most cops outside large cities in the US are treated pretty much the same as a part time mall security guard here in Canada. The hiring requirements are a joke and so is the pay. Many of them are also part time. You can't expect to get the best if you're not even offering a full time job with a good salary.

[45ED]

this thread is about cop and ttc bashing. i think its a given that many statements in these threads don't have to make sense.

Point taken. :razz: :lol:

[Akraz]

Wait, that's the pic of the guys who stole the money, not the cops, right?

The cops stole the money ....

[help_questions]

Exactly! Most cops outside large cities in the US are treated pretty much the same as a part time mall security guard here in Canada. The hiring requirements are a joke and so is the pay. Many of them are also part time. You can't expect to get the best if you're not even offering a full time job with a good salary.

true, but there are situations where you don't need the best, like the call center I consult for, or situations where the best isn't wroth the cost, as with TTC collectors.

You do have a good point, but I argue that there are situations where you simply don't need the best, and situations where part-timer workers can do the job and in turn lead to reduced costs. I agree that policing is an area where we need the best.

[fakishan]

Even politicians are corrupt at their salaries, generous pensions and legal immunity for speaking their mind in the course of their work, so it's not really a salary or job security issue.

It's psychological and I don't think you can screen for it.

[weedb0y]

I have to admit, the photograph is very nicely taken. What lens would that be? ;)

It captures the drama, the whole essence. Love it. lol

[Shaner]

Even politicians are corrupt at their salaries, generous pensions and legal immunity for speaking their mind in the course of their work, so it's not really a salary or job security issue.

It's psychological and I don't think you can screen for it.

That's part of it, yes. But the other part is the risk these cops would be taking if they decide to take the money. To them, the only thing they are losing is a part time job with lousy pay. There's not much incentive not to do things that may cost them their jobs. They can easily find another job that pays better.

[7jaii]

Many of you are showing bias. Somehow USA South automatically means inbreeding & corruption. This happens everywhere (Canada included) especially when there's no independent oversight.

We live in urban centres and mock the hinterland population; is it any wonder people hate "Toronto" (or insert another Metropolitan).

We only know what's been reported nationally: corruption & lawsuits against OPP RCMP etc... Stealing from the dead (USA) or Tasering a Polish Immigrant to death (Vancouver) - both are disgusting. But don't pretend we're superior.

[Nikita]

so we're trolling news articles all the way from louisiana now to bash cops. Its been a banner week for OT, this and the possibilty that the ttc may raise fares by $0.25.

Personally I'm more offended by stealing from the dead than the fact that it was cops doing it. It really doesn't get much lower than that!

[Cough]

My dad had his wallet taken by ambulance people when they rushed him to hospital. Couldnt prove it of course.

[yuwing8]

http://media.2theadvocate.com/images/arrested+officers+110609.jpg
+1

[JohnB]

Theres a lot of bad cops out there, just saying...

[JohnB]

My dad had his wallet taken by ambulance people when they rushed him to hospital. Couldnt prove it of course.

>:(

[cliffclaven]

I would never steal from the dead. :mad:

Maybe a little sex though.

[hagbard]

So, I'm reading it and thinking "they actually arrested COPS? They can get away with murder". Then I'm thinking "they must have been black", otherwise, they would have gotten away with it, especially given its LA. Then I see the pictures and know I'm still living in the same world as yesterday.

[nuberific]

Personally I'm more offended by stealing from the dead than the fact that it was cops doing it. It really doesn't get much lower than that!

I don't know, I think stealing from helpless, old, widowed people is worse than stealing from the dead. Just my opinion.