Money missing from safe in police evidence room; employee fired

BOTHELL, Wash. (AP) — A Bothell Police Department employee has been fired and the Washington State Patrol is investigating after an undisclosed amount of money went missing from a safe in the department's evidence room.

The Daily Herald newspaper of Everett reports that a police captain discovered the money was missing during a routine audit in January. That led to separate internal and criminal investigations, both of which are ongoing.

The police department's evidence room coordinator immediately was placed on paid administrative leave, then fired Feb. 17 from the non-commissioned position.

The department says the employee had held the job for 24 years and had no previous disciplinary action taken against him. They're still checking to see whether anything else was taken.