Police officer charged with vandalizing business
| Tuesday, Aug 10 2010 08:52 PM
Last Updated Tuesday, Aug 10 2010 08:52 PM
A Bakersfield police officer accused of throwing large cement rocks through the window of a business while on duty has been charged with misdemeanor vandalism, police said Tuesday.
Officer Scott Drewry, 38, voluntarily went to the Kern County Sheriff's Department and was issued a citation and released, a Bakersfield Police Department news release said. Drewry, a 9-year veteran of the department, was placed on paid administrative leave Monday pending the outcome of the case.
A family member of Drewry has been involved in a civil dispute with the owner of the business, the news release said.
A person who answered the phone at a number listed for Drewry immediately hung up when a reporter asked to speak to Drewry.
Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Williamson said it's always disappointing when an officer is arrested. If convicted, Drewry faces discipline ranging from a written reprimand to being fired, Williamson said.
Drewry has not admitted to the crime, Williamson said.
The investigation began when a broken window was discovered at the front of Moments in Time Scrapbooking at 7400 District Blvd. on Jan. 5, according to police. Someone had thrown large cement rocks at the window.
Surveillance video showed a portion of what appeared to be a police vehicle passing by the area, police said. Neighboring business employees told police they heard a loud noise and glass breaking and then saw a black and white BPD patrol vehicle -- with headlights and taillights off -- quickly leave the parking lot, police said.
The owner of the business said she had been involved in a civil dispute with a family member of Drewry and she believed he was responsible for the vandalism, a police news release said.
Williamson said it took months to file the charge against Drewry because, when they first submitted the case several months ago, the District Attorney's office sent it back for further investigation. More work was completed and the case was then resubmitted.
