The Case of the Missing $8,000

Let's see, eight grand disappears from the evidence room at the Upper Darby Police station and Police Chief Mike Chitwood speculates it might have been burned up "during burns of other evidence."

“As of Wednesday, we can’t find the $8,000,” Chitwood said. “I contacted the D.A.’s office and they are now doing an investigation. I gave them all the records we have. Right now, it is being handled as missing property. I talked to the evidence custodian and he seems to feel the money could have been burned during burns of other evidence. That money could have gotten burned in one of the burns.”

Obviously, this story and Chitwood's theory raises a number of questions.

How often do the Upper Darby police set fire to evidence in their custody? Why would anyone set fire to $8,000 in cash? Isn't it more likely that someone with access to the room and the money, pocketed it? How many people have access to the room? Are they all being interviewed and polygraphed? If not, why not?

Also, according to Chitwood, the money came into police custody in November 2009 as the result of a domestic violence case.

(P)olice responded to a domestic incident between a husband and wife at a residence on the 200 block of Heather Road.

“She claimed he threatened to shoot her and there was a gun in the house,” Chitwood said. “When police responded, the husband had already left, but police reported seeing drugs inside the house. We took the drugs and gun, an AK-47, and returned with a search warrant.

“Police conducted a search and located $8,000 hidden in a bathroom cabinet and $5 in another place, jewelry and a cell phone. The $8,005 was put in a drop safe at that time.”

But later, the money was supressed as evidence in the case and ordered returned to the homeowners. Why? What was wrong with the search, according to the judge.

What "drugs" did the woman leave out in the open for police to see after calling them?

How was the case disposed of?

I'll call Chitwood this morning to see if I can get any answers.