Police: Man stole drugs from Villa Park Police Department evidence vault

A former civilian employee of the Villa Park Police Department has been charged with official misconduct, theft of government property, possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor theft, authorities said Wednesday.

John Simons, 48, of the 600 block of North Edgewood Avenue in Lombard, turned himself in to authorities at the DuPage County sheriff's office on Tuesday, posted bail and was released.

Authorities said Simons stole hydrocodone pills on Oct. 10 from the police department evidence vault. He since has resigned. Police said they contacted the state's attorney's office as soon as they discovered the theft.

"There is no room for the type of behavior alleged in this case at any workplace, let alone a police department whose primary mission is to protect and serve the public," DuPage State's Attorney Bob Berlin said in a written statement.

Villa Park police Chief Michael Lay said: "I am very disappointed that an employee of our department was allegedly involved in activity that led to these charges. I am thankful that members of our department discovered potential wrongdoing on the part of the employee, swiftly initiated an investigation and brought the information to the attention of the DuPage County state's attorney's office for further investigation."