Police records officer pleads guilty to stealing $342,000

A former civilian police records supervisor pleaded guilty Friday to stealing $342,000 from the city of Covina and hiding a police report that involved her son-in-law, authorities said.

Louise Vance-Wasilchin, 58, who worked for the Covina Police Department, pleaded guilty to one felony count each of misappropriating public funds and secretion of a public record, according to Deputy L.A. County Dist. Atty. Edward Miller.

The Upland resident will be sentenced in February and faces two years, eight months in state prison, as well as restitution, Miller said.

Covina police launched an investigation after noticing a bag full of quarters in Vance-Wasilchin's car while looking into a hit-and-run accident in April. A prosecutor's complaint claims she stole money from the city from 2008 to this year.

The money came from parking meters, parking fines and impound fees, authorities said. Vance-Wasilchin was relieved of duty during an investigation into the missing funds.

Authorities said Vance-Wasilchin also hid a police report on a hit-and-run and driving-under-the-influence case involving her son-in-law.

The report was never delivered to be filed in court, authorities said. There was no evidence her son-in-law was aware of her actions.

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