Officer Jose Garcia charged with stealing at traffic stops

A West Covina police officer allegedly turned his badge into a license to steal, swiping cash from drivers he pulled over — including one man he fleeced for $600 just moments before slapping handcuffs on him.

Officer Jose Garcia, 38, was hit with felony charges for what prosecutors are calling a “profound betrayal” of the badge, accusing the cop of treating routine traffic stops like his own personal ATM.

Authorities say the shakedowns began in September 2024. In one brazen incident on Sept. 21, Garcia pulled over a driver, tossed the vehicle, and allegedly pilfered approximately $600 from the victims wallet. Then, he arrested the man he had just robbed.

Garcia allegedly stopped another car and rummaged through a passenger’s backpack, pocketing a $100 bill months later on Nov. 23. He’s also accused of stopping a third driver, searching their car, and taking $300 directly from the center console on Feb. 8, 2025.

In the latter two cases, Garcia reportedly let the drivers go with a verbal warning.

According to the city of West Covina, the West Covina PD was alerted to the potential misconduct on Feb. 10 of this year. The department immediately placed Garcia on paid administrative leave, where he will remain until the proceedings are complete. 

“When an officer turns routine traffic stops into opportunities for theft, for their own benefit, it corrodes public trust and endangers the integrity of our justice system,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said. “We will use every legal tool at our disposal to ensure that officer is held fully accountable for these alleged abuses of power, and we will not hesitate to hold any law enforcement officials responsible for any crimes committed in the course of their duties.”

Garcia, a Long Beach resident, has been charged with one felony count each of misappropriation of public funds and grand theft by embezzlement, and two misdemeanor counts of petty theft.

The West Covina Police Department, left reeling by the allegations, wasted no time distancing themselves from the disgraced officer.

“While we fully support due process, any criminal conduct by an officer, particularly involving theft or abuse of public trust, is unacceptable and undermines our mission,” West Covina Police Chief Antonio Cortina said. “We are deeply concerned that an officer may have violated the public trust and the fundamental principles of policing. We are committed to ensuring accountability.”

Garcia was released from custody on a promise to appear in court. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 28, 2026 at the West Covina Courthouse.

If convicted, the crooked cop could trade his uniform for a prison jumpsuit for up to four years, and an additional one-year jail term.