Orange County sheriff’s deputy Steve Hortz is accused of stealing items from the home of a dead man after responding to a service call about his death in July and August 2020.
A Southern California sheriff's deputy has been arrested on suspicion of burglarizing a home after the resident died.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department said late Thursday that Deputy Steve Hortz had responded to a July 20 call at the Yorba Linda home when a man in his 70s died of natural causes.
On Wednesday, an attorney representing the family estate reported items were missing from the home and provided surveillance video showing Hortz entering the home at least three times and leaving with stolen property, the department said in a statement.
Hortz, a 12-year veteran of the department, returned to the home in uniform July 27 and broke in through the rear. He returned twice in August in civilian clothes and at that time was seen removing the items, the statement said.
Stolen items included ceiling fans and weapons safes.
Hortz was arrested Thursday for investigation of burglary and placed on administrative leave. The department is investigating whether similar incidents have been reported during previous service calls involving Hortz
“The suspected criminal actions of this deputy are a violation of public trust, are inexcusable and intolerable,” Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said in the statement.
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The Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs said in a statement that the allegations are shocking and if true could undermine public support for law enforcement.
It was not immediately clear if Hortz had an attorney.
