Original Article Fired Flagstaff police officer pleads guilty to theft Associated Press May. 3, 2005 12:51 PM FLAGSTAFF - A Flagstaff police officer pleaded guilty to a charge of felony theft for stealing nearly $1,800 from a man he had arrested for drag racing. David T. Dyer, 28, was fired because of the theft. He was a probationary officer on the job less than a year at the time. Dyer initially told investigators that he inadvertently left the scene of the August arrest with the money. But prosecutors revealed in court Monday that jail surveillance tapes show Dyer concealing the suspect's wallet under a clipboard, then looking inside the wallet. Police investigators found $1,600 of the drag racing suspect's money at Dyer's home on the day he was arrested. Felony theft is punishable by six months to 2 1/2 years in prison, but Dyer is eligible for probation. No sentencing date has been set. As part of the plea, Dyer must also pay back $188 that was unaccounted for when police seized the stolen money at his home. "I think it's a betrayal of public trust and gives a black eye to the whole police department," police Chief J.T. McCann said upon learning of Dyer's plea. Dyer's attorney, Michael Whiting, said his client would reserve comment until his sentencing.