ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, September 20, 1996 TAG: 9609200068
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: HANOVER COURTHOUSE
A former state trooper has been convicted of taking a purse from a car outside a county tavern.
Mark E. Brooks, 43, who resigned after being charged with petty theft and reckless driving, was given a 30-day suspended jail sentence and fined $200 Wednesday in Hanover General District Court.
Authorities said Brooks never intended to steal the purse. He apparently took it in an attempt to verify the identity and address of an exotic dancer he was trying to meet. As it turned out, the purse he took July 31 didn't belong to the woman he was seeking.
Brooks had been with the state police since 1982.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 25 linesby CNB