Ex-Chesco Cop Charged with Stealing $50k from Police

Gerald Pawling, a former detective with the Coatesville Police Department, has been arrested by the Chester County DA’s office for allegedly stealing nearly $50,000 from the police union and the Police Athletic League. 

The 43-year-old man is also charged with stealing over $7,000 from the evidence room of the Coatesville Police Department evidence room, according to a release from the DA’s office.

According to a release from Chester County DA Tom Hogan, Pawling worked for the Coatesville Police Department for 17 years, retiring in 2012 as a detective.  He was initially charged with stealing over $40,000 from the Coatesville Police Benevolent Association and the Police Athletic League, in which he served as the treasurer and executive director, respectively.

The release states that Pawling allegedly used over $2,500 in stolen funds to repave the driveway of his house, and may have used stolen money to purchase computer equipment and school supplies.

Chester County Detectives searched Pawling’s house and, using fingerprint matching, were able to match his fingerprints from an envelope in his house to an internal plastic evidence bag.

Deputy DA Carlos Barraza is prosecuting the case.