SOMERSET — A cop turned in his badge today and was ordered
to undergo drug tests after he was charged with collecting expired medication
from residents of an apartment complex over the weekend, police said.
Officer Ricardo Pavao was on duty Sunday when he visited
elderly residents of North Farm Estates on County Street and gathered from them
emergency contact information and expired medication, according to police.
An internal investigation was launched when a resident
contacted police to correct information he allegedly had given to Pavao. Police
interviewed residents of the complex, and a search of Pavao's police locker and
personal car turned up evidence, including prescription drugs, police said.
Pavao, who turned himself in to Second District Court today,
is due back in court on March 28 on charges of larceny under $250 by false
pretenses; two counts of possession of Class E susbstance; and two counts of
possession of a Class C substance, according to police.
Pavao was placed on administrative leave; he surrendered all
firearms, badges, police identification and access to the department, police
said.