Fugitive police officer arrested in Las Vegas

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009 | 10:26 a.m.

Faron Eugene White

Sarah Elizabeth Richardson

A police officer from Alabama accused of stealing police funds was arrested Monday night in Las Vegas.

Faron Eugene White, 48, who is a sergeant with the Decatur (Ala.) Police Department, was arrested at about 11:15 p.m. without incident at the Hampton Inn, 4975 Dean Martin Drive, where he was staying. He was wanted in connection with first-degree felony theft charges stemming from his alleged theft of department money.

Decatur police said White had stolen an amount "exceeding $2,500 from the Decatur Police Department and in an effort to cover up his crime staged his office to appear that a physical altercation had taken place."

White was booked into the Clark County Detention Center pending extradition to Alabama, authorities said. His bond was set at $20,000.

District of Nevada U.S. Marshal Gary Orton said the arrest was made within an hour after a warrant was issued for White's arrest.

Alabama authorities said White was reported missing by his family Saturday after he didn't return home from work Friday night. On Monday, investigators determined White had staged the disappearance with the help of Sarah Elizabeth Richardson, 29, of Decatur, Ala., who later was charged with a first-degree count of hindering a prosecution or apprehension.

Both White and Richardson could face additional charges, authorities said.

Discussion: 3 comments so far…

By davidwayneosedach

1/6/09 at 3:08 p.m.

Suggest removal

Well it's not surprising he came to Vegas. He thought it would be easy to hideout.
By stevem

1/6/09 at 4:36 p.m.

Suggest removal

I see these stories ALL the time and I always wonder how do they find these people to arrest them?

I mean, how did they know he was staying at that hotel?

Do cops go through hotel parking lots and do some kind of "scan" of license plates?
By tdkarabatsos

1/6/09 at 4:37 p.m.

Suggest removal

Sarah sure looks like a guy. Are you sure the correct name isn't Steve?

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