By Daniel Massey
A 106th Precinct detective was arrested and suspended from the Police Department after he allegedly stole a prisoner’s credit card and tried to buy men’s cologne at a Long Island mall, police said.
Edgardo Rodriguez, 38, a 12-year New York Police Department veteran, was released on his own recognizance Friday at a Queens Criminal Court arraignment before Judge Pauline Mullings, said a spokeswoman for Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.
He was charged with grand larceny and official misconduct and faces up to a year in prison for each of the misdemeanor charges, she said. Rodriguez was suspended from the Police Department pending the result of an investigation, said Kelly Sanabria, a department spokeswoman.
Rodriguez stole a MasterCard from a man he had taken into custody July 23 for violating an order of protection, according to a complaint filed in Queens Criminal Court.
The detective then allegedly used the credit card that day to buy $370 worth of goods, including an electric toothbrush and a telephone answering machine, law enforcement sources said.
After being released on the night of July 24, the victim checked his wallet and discovered his credit card was missing, the complaint said. When Rodriguez tried to use the credit card to buy a bottle of men’s cologne at Rose Valenti Fragrance at the South Shore Mall, the charge was denied, the complaint said.
Rodriguez then walked out of the store, leaving the credit card behind, according to the complaint.
His attorney, James Moschella, did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.
Reach reporter Daniel Massey by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 156.
