DA: Patrol Sergeant Stole Money During Traffic Stop

Suffolk County Police on Friday arrested a 25-year patrol sergeant, charging him with stealing money from an undercover cop posing as a motorist.

Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota and Suffolk County Police Commissioner Edward Webber said Sgt. Scott A. Greene, 50, pleaded not guilty to petty larceny and official misconduct charges.

Greene's arrest came after an undercover officer lured Greene to stop him for driving a car where the license plate was purposefully left dangling.

“The Hispanic undercover detective employed in the sting was driving on Granny Road in Coram in a car outfitted with surveillance cameras,” Spota said in a statement. That's when Greene pulled alongside the car, “I believe to establish the ethnicity of the driver,” Spota added.

Greene pulled over the undercover officer and asked him to stand outside the car. That's when surveillance cameras caught Green stealing a $100 dollar bill from a pile of money left in the car. The money had been laced with a powder not visible to the naked eye. When police arrested Greene, they found the powder on his hands and uniform.

“I am particularly outraged by the conduct of this officer who was sworn to protect the community but instead targeted individuals who he perceived to be vulnerable," Webber said, adding that Greene has been suspended without pay until further notice.

The county is investigating Greene and is looking for other motorists who may have been targeted by the sergeant.

Anyone with info is asked to call 631-852-6374 or 631-852-6263.