A San Francisco police officer was arrested in San Mateo on suspicion of robbing a pharmacy and is on unpaid leave pending an internal investigation.
San Mateo police said San Francisco Police Sgt. Davin Cole was booked on charges of robbery in the second degree and resisting arrest for the incident at a Rite Aid Wednesday, KTVU-TV reported Friday. Cole posted bond of $57,500 and was not in custody.
The San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office said Cole walked into the store and handed the worker a note demanding drugs. Prosecutors said he allegedly had a nonagency-issued revolver that was not displayed or used during the robbery.
Cole’s attorney, Anthony Brass, said the 27-year veteran and father of two has been dealing with an opioid addiction “that has ravaged his life.”
“Obviously, the behavior is serious, but we’re hopeful that there will be some compassion for a man who suffers from this sort of addiction, which is so common in first responder professions,” Brass said.
Cole was off duty at the time of the robbery and allegedly resisted arrest by trying to run away.
“We received a call for service, we arrived on scene, and we shortly thereafter interacted a person who was later identified as a suspect, he was subsequently arrested,” San Mateo police spokeswoman Alison Gilmore said.
The San Francisco Police Department said Cole was assigned to the Field Operations Bureau.
The sergeant is a graduate of the Commission Peace Officer Standards and Training supervisory leadership program.
San Mateo police say their investigation is ongoing and would not disclose if Cole was armed during the robbery.
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