McHenry officer charged with stealing from department

An 11-year veteran of the McHenry police department was arrested Tuesday on charges that he stole more than $500 from the department.

Officer Dale Hojnacki, 35, was taken into custody by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department without incident.

Hojnacki, of the 1200 block of Green Street in McHenry, was charged with theft of currency, according to a statement released by McHenry Police Chief John Jones.

Hojnacki is accused of stealing the cash between June 23, 2010 and Nov. 22, 2011, according to the criminal complaint.

The charge is a result of an internal investigation into missing funds, which were discovered during an internal audit.

“These types of audits are done frequently and for this purpose,” Jones said in the written statement.

Following his arrest, Hojnacki resigned from the police department and was relieved of all his police authority.

The class 3 felony is punishable by fines of up to $25,000 and between two and five years in prison.

Hojnacki was taken to the McHenry County jail, and his bail was set at $15,000.

Police said Hojnacki was acting alone. Authorities continue to investigate the case, and additional charges may be forthcoming, according to police.

“Any officer that would tarnish the uniform worn by so many fantastic officers of the McHenry Police Department deserves to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Jones said.