TEXAS CITY, TX (KTRK/CNN) – The family of a man who died in December says a former police officer took $2,400 from their loved one while he was suffering a heart attack in his car.
Following the death and alleged theft, the Mabe family is suing the city of Texas City, TX, and Officer Linnard Crouch Jr., who resigned from the force earlier this year.
The family says Jim Mabe left his son’s office in December 2016 with $2,400 in cash to buy Christmas presents. He had only been driving a short time when he suffered a heart attack.
Officer Crouch was the first responding officer. Michael Mabe, the victim’s son, and Linda Mabe, the victim’s widow, allege Crouch took the $2,400 before trying to save their loved one’s life.
The family says according to a Texas City Police memo, the incident was captured on the officer’s body camera.
"There's more than enough anger to go around, to be honest with you. I'm disappointed in a lot of people,” Michael Mabe said.
Texas City Police released a statement confirming Crouch resigned from his position, and he is facing criminal charges. So far, no charges have been filed by the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office, which says the investigation is ongoing.
"Six months ago, there was a video of an officer stealing money… There were witnesses… yet there was no arrest," said Mabe family attorney Randall Kallinen. He says the lack of criminal charges against Crouch is the main reason the family filed a federal civil lawsuit.
The family also wants the police department to improve its practices, so no other families are affected, Kallinen says.
Copyright 2017 KTRK, Facebook, Randall Kallinen via CNN. All rights reserved.
