Former Cheshire Police Union Head Charged with Larceny

The former head of the Cheshire Police Union is facing two counts of first-degree larceny for allegedly stealing from the union, according to the Chief State's Attorney office.

Robert A. Anderson Jr., 43, of 9 Powder Horn Hill Road, Wilton, allegedly stole $49,400 from union coffers, according to a release issued Wednesday. He head the union from 2005 to 2009.

The two counts are class B felonies punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $15,000 on each count.

"According to the arrest warrant affidavit, the arrest is a result of an investigation into a complaint filed in February 2013 with the Statewide Prosecution Bureau in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney by Cheshire Police Chief Neil Dryfe and leaders of the Cheshire Police Union," the release says.

Last summer Anderson and Capt.Jay Markella were placed on paid leave pending the investigation by the Chief State's Attorney Office into the missing money. At that time, the New Haven Register reported that as much as $100,000 was missing.

According to Wednesday's release, Anderson stole more than $22,000 in cash through an ATM machine and about $27,400 using a union debit card. Anderson was arrested by Inspectors from the Statewide Prosecution Bureau and released on a $100,000 non-surety bond, according to the release, and will be arraigned in Meriden Superior Court on Jan. 17.

Anderson resigned his position with the Cheshire Police Department last fall.