On-duty police officer accused of taking medication from Somerset residents

SOMERSET (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) A police officer from Somerset is accused of stealing prescription medications from the elderly in what Somerset Police are calling a ruse.

Ricardo Pavao is facing charges that include larceny under $250 by false pretenses, possession of a class E substance, and possession of a class C substance.

Investigators allege that Pavao entered the North Farm Estates apartment complex on Jan. 27 and used a ruse to collect emergency contact information and expired medication from elderly residents. Pavao was on duty at the time of the alleged incident.

Somerset Police began investigating the incident after a resident of the complex contacted them to say they gave Pavao the wrong information.

Pavao has been placed on administrative leave and must undergo drug testing as the investigation continues. He has surrendered his firearms and badges.

Pavao turned himself in on Wednesday. He is due back in court on March 28 for a pretrial conference.

Cox Media Group