By George P. Hassett

A Somerville police officer with more than 20 years on the force resigned this week after he was caught stealing a bag of Halloween candy from the station, according to multiple sources.

Robert Vozzella’s resignation was effective Tuesday, according to city spokesman Michael Meehan. Vozzella had worked as a patrolman since 1988. Meehan declined to release any other information regarding Vozzella but multiple sources said Vozzella was told he could resign or take a polygraph test in connection with the missing bag of candy. Sources said Vozzella chose to resign.

The candy was donated to police for a Halloween event at the department’s Broadway substation, sources said. The sources said city officials told Vozzella he was caught on camera removing the candy later that day.

Reached by phone on Monday, Vozzella said he had no comment on the matter.

Vozzella’s brother, Sgt. John Vozzella also left the Somerville Police Department recently. He stopped working for the city in December 2008, Meehan said.