Carlos Tapia, president of the San Mateo County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, turned himself in Tuesday afternoon on charges that include felony grand theft, according to a statement from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department.
Tapia surrendered at around 1 p.m. According to witnesses who saw him being taken in, he was not in cuffs and accompanied by several people, possibly family members.
“Carlos Tapia was arrested by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office for felony grand theft and theft by false pretenses. He was booked into a San Mateo County Correctional Facility and has since been released on bond,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement. “As is standard protocol, Tapia has been placed on administrative leave while the criminal investigation continues. The case will be forwarded to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.”
Earlier this year, Tapia was one of many rank-and-file officers who spoke out against the sheriff’s department, accusing leadership of fostering a work environment marked by “unease and retaliation” and refusing to address staffing shortages and overtime demands.
District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe said he has not yet received the complaint from the sheriff.
“We were notified of Tapia’s arrest by the sheriff, but we have not received the complaint yet,” Wagstaffe said. “We will review the case once it’s received.”
