2 Detroit officers face charges of stealing from suspect

Two officers, both seven-year veterans of the Detroit Police Department assigned to an elite unit, are described as hard workers and have been recognized for identifying people involved in violent crime.

Charles Lynem, 32, and Chancellor Searcy, 29, who were partners with the Tactical Response Unit, were together again Tuesday — this time appearing before a judge on felony charges.

Among the allegations against the officers: they are accused of confiscating money from a 33-year-old Detroit man they arrested in March 2013, and fabricating the “circumstances and documentation” involving the arrest of a 41-year-old man in September 2014.

Lynem and Searcy each face several counts, including misconduct in office, embezzlement less than $20,000, larceny less than $20,000 and false report of a felony.

Both officers, now suspended without pay, appeared Tuesday before 36th District Magistrate Laura Echartea via a video connection. Not guilty pleas were entered during their arraignments in Detroit.

"Whenever an officer is accused of criminal misconduct, certainly it is a dark day for the department," Detroit Police James Craig said at a news conference Tuesday. "I stress that these are allegations."

Searcy has been charged in four cases and Lynem was charged in two cases involving allegations from March 18, 2013, to Sept. 27, 2014. They were given $10,000 personal bonds for each case they were charged in.

Attorney John Goldpaugh is representing the officers and said he wants them to have their day in court and expects them to be vindicated.

“They’re both hardworking people that have been out there serving Detroit,” he said. “And serving Detroit well.”

The investigation began almost a year ago when the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office brought information to the police department and police opened an investigation, Craig said.

Police said the two officers were suspended with pay on Oct. 30, 2014, and were suspended without pay Tuesday.

“We always take any allegations of misconduct ... seriously,” Craig said.

The charging decision was made Monday and Searcy and Lynem voluntarily turned themselves in at 4 a.m. Tuesday, Craig said.

"We work for the people, and the people hold us accountable to enforce the law constitutionally," he said while addressing reporters about the case.

Craig said the vast majority of Detroit police officers serve the community with distinction and honor.

According to a news release from the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, Searcy and Lynem arrested a man at a gas station in the 10600 block of Outer Drive in Detroit the night of March 18, 2013, and confiscated money from him. According to court records, the man was charged with drug and weapons counts and later pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed weapon. The other charges were dismissed.

“It is alleged that there was a wrongful conduct surrounding the detention, frisk, seizure of property and the arrest of the suspect,” the release said.

In a separate incident, both men are also accused of fabricating "the circumstances and documentation” surrounding the arrest of a man accused of carrying a concealed weapon. Those allegations stem from the night of Sept. 27, 2014, in the 8000 block of West Grand Boulevard, prosecutors said.

“The case was subsequently dismissed because of the alleged fabricated circumstances and documentation issues in the case,” Maria Miller, a spokeswoman for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, said in an email.

Searcy faces charges in two other cases, including an incident on Aug. 4, 2014, where he is accused of stopping a 28-year-old man in the 4000 block of Webb and taking money from him. During another incident on Aug. 10, 2014, Searcy is again accused of taking money from a man. Both of the men made formal complaints, prosecutors said.

Mark Diaz, president of the Detroit Police Officers Association, called the allegations “the most unfortunate thing we can imagine,” but he predicted the officers ultimately would prevail against the accusations.

“These are two solid police officers with one goal, and that is to protect our citizens,” Diaz said. “I’m incredibly confident that at the end of this, these two officers will be exonerated.”

Diaz described the officers as the hard-charging type who were exceptional at getting armed criminals and drug dealers off the street. He said it’s not unusual for suspects to allege that police planted evidence or stole from them, in an attempt to deflect blame for arrests.

Lynem received a "TOP COPS" award last year in Washington, D.C., with an honorable mention as part of the National Association of Police Organizations program. He was the only officer in Michigan to be recognized by the program in 2014.

Their next court dates are Nov. 3 for a probable cause conference and Nov. 15 for a preliminary examination.

Staff writers Robert Allen, Matt Helms and Gina Damron contributed to this report.

Contact Elisha Anderson: eanderson@freepress.com or 313-222-5144. Follow on Twitter: @elishaanderson