Louisville police officer charged with stealing $4,000 from suspect being booked into jail

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville Metro Police officer was arrested Friday morning on charges that he allegedly stole $4,000 from a suspect being booked into jail.

According to the arrest citation, Officer Javar Downs was seen on surveillance video and body camera footage "(manipulating) an amount from the complainant's personal belongings, allegedly a sum of U.S. currency suspected to be around $10,000.00."

Police said Downs separated the subject's cash before returning to steal $4,000. After police reviewed the video, police found the cash — as well as "other property belonging to the complainant" — and Downs was arrested Friday morning.

He's charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking over $1,000 and Official Misconduct. Interim Chief Paul Humphrey placed Downs on emergency suspension, limited his police powers and has begun the termination process, LMPD said Friday.

Downs as well as Detectives Bryan Gillis and Kelvin Watkins were found to have not turned on their body cams during the arrest of Scottie Scheffler outside Valhalla Golf Club during the PGA Championship, in violation of police policy, according to 63 pages of documents, pictures and an investigative file.

The officers had to fill out "Failure to Activate" forms. Gillis received counseling.

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