Detectives charged a Woodhaven woman this week for allegedly stealing more than 100 authentic law enforcement badges and then selling them online.
Police said that Maylene Campos, 37, worked as a general manager for United Insignia, an Astoria company that produces badges used by federal and state law enforcement agencies and destroys badges that are taken out of use.
Since Jan. 1, 2017, according to the criminal complaint that the Queens District Attorney’s office provided, Campos allegedly stole more than 100 official badges turned in to United Insignia for destruction. She then sold many of the badges on eBay under two different accounts.
On Nov. 21, 2017, law enforcement sources said, a member of the CUNY Public Safety Department observed one of the eBay listings selling peace officer badges that he had previously submitted to United Insignia. A member of United Insignia also saw the listings and alerted police; the NYPD Internal Affairs Unit subsequently launched an investigation.
According to NY1 News, undercover detectives bought several of the badges sold under the eBay accounts belonging to Campos. On March 7, authorities said, police executed a search warrant of Campos’ home.
During the search, authorities said, they found in a bedroom closet 19 CUNY peace officer badges and, inside another bedroom closet, a box labeled “United Insignia” containing 55 commemorative coins.
According to the criminal complaint, Campos allegedly admitted to detectives that she owned the eBay accounts which had listed the stolen badges for sale.
Campos was arrested on charges of fourth-degree grand larceny, petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property. Court records noted that she was released on supervision and must return to court on March 21.
