Credit: Flickr/steakpinball
A former Newtown Township police detective is headed to trial on accusations he removed drugs without authorization from the department’s secured medication drop-off box earlier this year.
Charles Palko, 45 of Harleysville, Montgomery County, waived a single misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance to Doylestown for trial before District Judge Mick Petrucci Monday afternoon.
According to Bucks County Detectives, who investigated the case, township officers noticed something strange was happening in the lobby of the police department around 5 p.m. on May 20. The surveillance camera abruptly went black and came on a short time after as Palko was spotted just under the camera by a door.
Officers and detectives began looking into what their colleague was doing. Palko walked by an officer with something appearing to be held against his side. Shortly after, Palko, a 19-year veteran of the force, was spotted walking back and forth in a hallway near a back stairwell with his department-issued cell phone up to his ear, court papers stated.
Police said they found a plastic bag containing various medications with a piece of dark paper attached to it hidden under the stairs near where Palkco was spotted.
When inspected, police found several medications, including Darvocet and Tramadol, inside the bag, according to court papers.
After charges were filed against Palko earlier this month, Police Chief Rick Pasqualini told NewtownPANow.com that Palko’s employment with the township ended July 1.
Palko is free on $20,000 unsecured bail.
