Ex-Employee Held in Theft of Property Tax Checks

SANTA ANA — Authorities have arrested a Santa Ana man in connection with the theft in December of four checks from the county treasurer-tax collector’s office.

The checks, customarily made payable to Robert L. Citron, were written by property owners in settlement of their property taxes. But the taxpayers had left the space for the payee’s name blank, apparently because Citron had resigned earlier that month.

The Sheriff’s Department contends that David Rivera of Santa Ana stole the four checks while working as a temporary employee at the treasurer’s office in December. During his three weeks at the office, Rivera was assigned to open incoming mail, according to a statement issued by the Sheriff’s Department.

Rivera allegedly gave two of the checks to his brother, John Rivera, who made the checks payable to himself and then cashed them, authorities said. David Rivera cashed the other two checks, according to the statement.

John Rivera, for whom an arrest warrant had been issued, was arrested Monday and booked into Orange County Jail. David Rivera was released after being questioned, but the Sheriff’s Department said that grand theft charges would be sought against both brothers.

The Sheriff’s Department did not release the total amount of the checks.