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FL Officer Accused Of Stealing Seized Marijuana

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A Winter Haven police officer is accused of pilfering a “marijuana bud” following the department’s seizure of marijuana plants from a home.

Authorities say 36-year-old Ricardo Flores was just ending his shift about 7 p.m. Wednesday as detectives were unloading marijuana plants from a truck. As the evidence was being processed, an officer saw Flores take a marijuana bud from a plant and conceal it.

When the officer reported what he saw, Flores was called back to the department. Officers recovered the stolen marijuana and Flores was charged with burglary of a conveyance, petit theft and possession of marijuana.

Flores was suspended pending an internal investigation.

Winter Haven Police Chief Gary Hester commended the officer who reported the incident, saying “no one is above the law.”