West TH police officer arrested

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - The Indiana State Police Criminal Investigation Division at the Putnamville Post has arrested a West Terre Haute Police Officer for multiple counts of felony theft. The thefts are alleged to have occurred between January 24, 2011 and August 25, 2011 while the suspect was employed as a police officer for the Town of West Terre Haute, IN.

Mark J. Arnold, age 38, of West Terre Haute, IN., was arrested this evening on six counts of Theft, Class D felony. At 5:06PM, Arnold, accompanied by his attorney, surrendered himself to state police officers at the Vigo County Jail. Arnold bonded out moments later after posting 10% of a $15,000 bond.

The Indiana State Police received a request to investigate the alleged crimes on October 27, 2011 by current West Terre Haute Police Chief Don Lark.

The request was initiated after an Indiana State Board of Accounts audit discovered a spike in gasoline consumption by the police department and alleged misuse of a gasoline credit card assigned to Mark Arnold.

Further investigation by Indiana State Police found that Arnold had allegedly purchased gasoline for his personal truck, his girlfriend’s SUV, and a portable gas can on multiple occasions at the Pacific Pride fuel station at 2026 East Harlan Drive in southern Vigo County. Five of the purchases were found on video surveillance and totaled $267.83.

There were another (18) questionable fuel purchases discovered during the audit involving Arnold.