Minn. police officer facing charges fired

THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn., Nov. 12 (UPI) -- The mayor of Thief River Falls, Minn., said a local police officer was fired after being charged with six counts of receiving criminal property.

Thief River Falls Mayor Steve Nordhagen said city council members voted unanimously to fire Paul Kezar, 37, who pleaded innocent to the criminal charges in Marshall County and Pennington County, Minn., the Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald said Thursday.

Nordhagen did not specify the reason behind the council's decision Tuesday night.

Kezar was arrested on Oct. 21 and charged in connection with the theft of vehicles ranging from all-terrain vehicles to snowmobiles.

According to a criminal complaint, more than $50,000 worth of stolen property was allegedly found at his residence.

The Herald said Kezar, who was hired as a police officer in Thief River Falls in January, is due in court in Pennington County on Jan. 29 and in Marshall County on Feb. 16.