THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 7, 1995 TAG: 9510070241
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
A police officer was arrested Thursday for allegedly accepting a bribe from an undercover state trooper in exchange for dropping a drug case.
Police said they were told in August that LaBruce Grant, 30, had accepted money from at least one person facing a drug arrest. City police asked state police to investigate.
Police wouldn't release the source of the tip.
The investigation led to Grant's on-duty arrest shortly after 11:30 p.m. Thursday when he allegedly took cash and drugs from an undercover state trooper instead of pursuing charges, police spokesman Lou Thurston said.
Grant, who has been a police officer about 16 months, was charged with taking a bribe and possession of drugs, Thurston said.
Grant had been assigned to the 3rd Precinct, with headquarters on Independence Boulevard near Sentara Bayside Hospital.
Thurston declined to release details of the case, saying it is under investigation.
He also declined to explain how Grant came in contact with the undercover state police officer, except to say Grant had been the only target of the investigation.
Thurston would not say how much money Grant allegedly took, or identify the type of drugs.
Grant was released on $5,000 bail and was suspended without pay. Both charges are felonies, police said. Grant could not be reached for comment.
Thurston said his department was first tipped on Aug. 9 and began an immediate investigation. Subsequently, the state police were asked to help, but Thurston didn't know exactly when that was.
Police ask anyone who has had a similar experienced with Grant to call 427-4145 or 424-6850.
Grant's first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday. ILLUSTRATION: LaBruce Grant
KEYWORDS: POLICEMAN ARREST BRIBE DRUGS ILLEGAL by CNB