HARRISBURG, Pa. — A 17-year veteran police officer with the Fairview Township Police Department was arrested today, charged with stealing money from drug traffickers who had been arrested or pulled over. Tyson Baker, 41, was arrested today on charges of corruption. In the criminal complaint filed by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Baker violated the Hobbs Act, which prohibits interfering with interstate commerce by force, violence or intimidation. Baker was also charged with removing evidence that was subject to seizure and providing false information to federal authorities.
The complaint also charges that, in November, Baker orchestrated the theft of $2,000 in drug proceeds seized by the Fairview Township Police Department during a search of a residence that had resulted in the seizure of several pounds of marijuana and approximately $14,000. The FBI recorded conversations with Baker allegedly regarding the theft. The criminal complaint also alleges that Baker discussed robbing drug traffickers of drug proceeds during traffic stops.
The FBI set up a sting on December 16th. Agents arranged for a vehicle operated by an undercover FBI agent to be stopped. Baker is accused of having the vehicle towed from the scene and, without a warrant and in spite of directions not to search the vehicle, allegedly searched the vehicle and stole $3,000 concealed in the vehicle.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Harrisburg Resident Office, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and the Fairview Township Police Department.