State Police Launch Investigation Into Trooper

State Police Launch Investigation Into Trooper Facing Theft Charges

State trooper Andrew G. Kocsis, 39, was charged Monday with multiple lower-level felony counts of theft in St. Joseph County.

An Indiana State Police Car sits in Monument Square in downtown Indianapolis on December 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images) — Source: (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — An Indiana State Police trooper is facing criminal charges in St. Joseph County.

Online court records show that Andrew G. Kocsis, 39, was charged Monday with a low-level felony count of theft where value of property is between $750 and $50,000; a low-level felony count of obstruction of justice for altering, damaging or removing any record or document; and a misdemeanor count of fraud.

A news release put out Monday by ISP does not detail what Kocsis allegedly did that led to the charges. It’s also unclear if he was processed at a jail.

An internal investigation has since been launched.

According to the release, former Grant County prosecutor James D. Luttrell was a special prosecutor for the case. State police started investigating Kocsis in mid-October for claims of theft from an undisclosed person.

Kocsis has been a trooper since 2008. He was recently assigned to the state police’s general headquarters in Indianapolis and will be placed on administrative leave without pay until the criminal proceedings and investigation are completed.

Kocsis’ initial hearing is scheduled for set for July 8 in South Bend’s St. Joseph Superior Court 2.