Montgomery County Police Department employee accused of stealing 30 cell phones
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md Nov 14 2017— An agency tasked with catching criminals has uncovered an alleged thief among its own ranks.
According to court records, in September, a proactive Montgomery County detective scanned a law enforcement database, which lists second-hand property sellers. The database helps police identify possible criminals in the community. The number four name on that list: Jacob “Jake” Golden, 21, of Frederick.
The detective “immediately” recognized Golden as an employee within the department’s Information Management and Technology Division. Department brass was notified, and a more thorough investigation was launched.
Detectives say that between December 2016 and September 2017, Golden snatched 30 iPhone 6s, Android Turbo and Samsung Galaxy phones from a secure room at MCPD Headquarters in Gaithersburg. The 21-year-old I.T. employee had key card access to that room as he worked intimately with body worn cameras.
Golden allegedly sold the stolen electronics at Best Buy and Game Stop stores across Frederick and Montgomery Counties on 23 separate occasions. Nineteen (or 82 percent) of those transactions took place while Golden was on the clock, police state.
Golden’s supervisor explained that the police department’s I.T. storage room holds a variety of pricey electronics, including smart phones, body worn cameras and computers.
Montgomery County hired Golden as a civilian I.T. employee in September 2016 – three months before the alleged thievery began. An online county salary database shows Golden earned an annual salary of $40,000. He is currently on unpaid administrative leave.
Golden is facing one count of Theft: $10,000 – $100,000 – a felony in Maryland. A phone call to defense attorney Howard Cheris’ office was not returned. Golden’s next court date is scheduled for December 21 at 8 a.m. in Montgomery County District Court.
ABC7
