From David Richie:
Highly regarded Folsom police sergeant John Landahl is the only Folsom police officer under scrutiny in an investigation involving the theft of used cooking oil from the Sacramento Rendering Company, Folsom officials said Thursday.
Landahl was arrested by Folsom police on Sept. 30 and released with order to appear in court on a misdemeanor charge of violating California Vehicle Code Sections 2474 and 2470 involving the theft and transportation of inedible cooking grease.
Folsom officials decided to release information about the charges against Landahl Wednesday after getting media inquiries.
Because he was accused of a misdemeanor, Landahl was not jailed. He is scheduled to go to court on Oct. 17. Landahl has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation, said Officer Michelle Beattie, police department spokeswoman.
The value of the oil Landahl is suspected of stealing is estimated at about $350. In their release, Folsom officials noted that it can be used to make bio-diesel fuel but they provided no further information about what Landahl may have been doing with the stuff.
Landahl is a 22-year veteran of the Folsom Police Department. He has participated as an award-winning member of the department's special weapons and tactics team and he is considered one of the most accurate police marksmen in the United States.
According to Bee file reports, Landahl and his partner, Jon Kracher, took second place in the Sniper Craft 2006 Pacific Challenge, a three-day competition held in San Diego.
In the news release issued Wednesday, Folsom officials stated that the alleged cooking oil theft occurred in March but was not reported to the police department until June. Landahl turned himself in to police investigators on Sept. 30.
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