Oct. 4, 2006 — An employee with the V.I. Police Department's motor pool on St. Thomas was arrested Wednesday and charged with obtaining money under false pretense.
The incident marks the second time in as many days that Lewis has had to issue statements about a VIPD employee being the subject of an investigation.
Police spokesman Sgt. Thomas Hannah said late Wednesday that Fernando Tonge, 57, has been suspended indefinitely, pending the outcome of the case.
In a statement released earlier, Police Commissioner Elton Lewis said that Tonge has been placed on administrative leave without pay following his arrest Wednesday, which was the result of investigations by VIPD Internal Affairs and the Criminal Investigation bureau.
Hannah said that Tonge, a civilian employee, has worked as a mechanic with the department's motor pool for more than 10 years.
The incident involving the fraud charges occurred on or about Aug. 3, 2006, Hannah said.
The incident marks the second time in as many days that Lewis has had to issue statements about a VIPD employee being the subject of an investigation.
On Tuesday, Ada L. Figueroa, a 14-year civilian employee with the department on St. Croix was suspended with pay for what Lewis termed, "alleged misappropriation of government funds."
Hannah said Tonge was placed on leave without pay because there has been an arrest in that case. Figueroa, special assistant to the Director of Fiscal and Property, has not been arrested.
Lewis, who has vowed to maintain a zero-tolerance stance regarding corruption and wrongdoing in the department, said in a statement released Tuesday that Figueroa is alleged to have cashed checks belonging to other police department personnel.
Hannah said Wednesday that the investigation into that case is ongoing.
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