CALIFORNIA COMPUTERS STOLEN http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/11/exlapd-officer-arrested.html

Former LAPD officer arrested for allegedly burglarizing Orange County church

November 25, 2009 | 10:43 pm

A former Los Angeles Police Department officer who tried to evade deputies was arrested after allegedly burglarizing Saddleback Church in Orange County, KTLA News is reporting.

Charles Mottern, 45, of Irvine, was Tasered after he allegedly tried to flee from Orange County Sheriff's Department deputies, who were investigating reports of property stolen from the church, according to authorities quoted by the station.

Mottern had been working at the church since August 2008 as a security guard, sheriff's officials say. Church officials reportedly noticed that items began disappearing, including cameras, computers and radios after Mottern had been hired.

Last Thursday, security guards at the church interrupted a burglary in progress and saw a suspect flee in a black BMW.

Sheriff's investigators, who were alerted by the church, obtained a search warrant for Mottern's home. They saw him driving a black BMW. He was Tasered after he fled in his car, parked the vehicle and then tried to escape on foot, authorities said.

Mottern was booked Tuesday on suspicion of burglary, possession of stolen property, evading arrest and resisting arrest, authorities said. It was unclear when he worked for the LAPD.

--Robert J. Lopez

Photo: Charles Mottern. Credit: KTLA.