HPD STATEMENT ON PROPERTY ROOM CLERKS ARREST

FROM HPD
Subject: City of Hartford employee fired and arrested

On August 18, 2015 a supervisor in the Hartford Police Department Property Room learned that during a regular audit of property, at least one bag of marijuana submitted as “Found Property” was missing. The supervisor reported this discovery to the Hartford Police Department Internal Affairs Division. The supervisor was able to determine through his initial audit that a civilian City of Hartford clerk assigned to the HPD Property Room, Liza Aponte (40yo of Hartford) was the source of the missing property. An immediate internal investigation was initiated, to include an expansive audit of property room evidence to include all drugs, money, jewelry and weapons. Aponte was transferred pending the outcome of the investigation.

The investigation expansive audit revealed a total of three bags of property missing. Internal Affairs investigators, based on video surveillance and closely maintained property room logging records were able to confirm the missing evidence was taken by Liza Aponte.

On September 3rd, 2015 after the appropriate administrative process, Aponte was terminated.
Internal Affairs investigators interviewed Aponte. Based on evidence and her own statements, on September 15, 2015 investigators applied for an arrest warrant for Aponte. On September 21, 2015 it was approved. On Wednesday September 23, 2015 Aponte turned herself into the Hartford Police Department. She was arrested and booked for 2 counts of Larceny 2nd Degree and 2 counts of Unlawful Removal of Records. The charges came with a $10,000 judge set bond.

Of Note:
Liza Aponte was hired by the City of Hartford in an effort to civilianize certain positions within the police department. She was hired in January of 2015.

Three bags were removed from the property room by Aponte. All contained small amounts of marijuana. One bag contained an unknown type pills. All bags were submitted to the HPD property room as “Found Property”. This means they are not attached to any criminal proceedings or criminal investigations.

The expansive audit did not reveal any other missing property.

Further safeguards have been put in place to prevent civilians from misappropriating evidence.

Complete details of the warrant will be made available through the GA14 Clerks Office.