Los Angeles deputy charged in theft of $1 million in diamonds

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- A Los Angeles County reserve deputy has been fired after federal agents charged him with stealing as much as $1 million in diamonds, officials say.

The FBI accused Billy Lulo, 47, of mail fraud in connection with the theft of diamonds valued at $500,000 to $1 million in El Paso, Texas, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

Lulo's arrest came after a 10-month investigation, authorities said.

The sheriff's department hired Lulo in 1990. He was a level-one reserve assigned to patrol duties, a department spokesman said.

He was relieved of duty in November.