Columbia County deputy arrested for theft

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of one of their deputies Saturday morning.

The Sheriff’s Office said that Ruslan Lipelis, a deputy in Columbia County, is accused of stealing money from a vehicle during a call for service.

According to the news release, on July 30, a citizen said that Lipelis had stolen money from a vehicle.

The sheriff’s office quickly investigated the incident and found that the deputy was possibly involved.

Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter requested that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) conduct a criminal investigation.

FDLE investigations led to Lipelis being arrested and placed on administrative leave.

Sheriff Mark Hunter stated, “We hold our employees to the highest standards of professional conduct. There is no tolerance for this behavior, and we will act swiftly to hold those accountable who violate public trust. While I am extremely disappointed in the actions of this individual, I am proud of our employees who work each day to serve our community with integrity.”

The sheriff’s office plans on giving more information on the incident during a news conference Monday.

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