A Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) police officer is facing charges related to the alleged fraudulent use of a service-issued gas card.
On February 23, 2018, Michael KELLAS (29) was arrested and charged with 13 counts of Fraud Under $5,000, and was released on a promise to appear and an undertaking.
Kellas was previously arrested on February 13, 2018 and charged with Theft of Credit Card, Possession/Use of Stolen Credit Card, and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000.
“An investigation has revealed that there are reasonable grounds to believe Kellas utilized his service-issued gas card, while off-duty, on 13 separate occasions for his own personal benefit,” said Detective Sergeant Dave Costantini of the Halton Regional Police Service One District Criminal Investigations Bureau. “Gas cards are issued to members of the HRPS only for the purpose of fuelling service vehicles.”
Originally Posted on February 14, 2018
On Tuesday, February 13, 2018 the Halton Regional Police Service arrested and charged a serving police officer in connection with theft of property from an Oakville residence.
It is alleged that the officer stole property from a residence during a break-and-enter investigation in December 2017.
"I am saddened, both personally and on behalf of the over 1,000 dedicated members of the HRPS..." - Police Chief Stephen Tanner
Michael KELLAS (29 years), a uniform member of the Halton Regional Police Service, has been charged with the following criminal offences:
- Theft of Credit Card
- Possession/Use of Stolen Credit Card
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
Kellas has served as a Constable with the Halton Regional Police Service since August 2010.
He will appear in Milton Criminal Court on March 5, 2018.
As a result of these charges, Kellas has been suspended from duty (with pay – as required by the Police Services Act of Ontario).
“As the Chief of Police, I am saddened, both personally and on behalf of the over 1,000 dedicated members of the HRPS, that this incident has taken place. As a service we are committed to dealing with this situation both thoroughly and transparently. We are, and will always be, guided by our longstanding principles of Excellence, Integrity, Justice, Trust and Respect, Teamwork and Accountability,” stated Halton Regional Police Chief Stephen Tanner.
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident involving Halton Regional Police Officer Micheal Kellas is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Dan Costantini at 905-825-4777 ext. 2415.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers "See Something? Hear Something? Know Something? Contact Crime Stoppers" at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.