SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio police officer who was placed on administrative leave following a recent shoplifting arrest was taken into custody again Wednesday night for a similar charge.
Officer David Nieto, a three-year veteran of the department, was arrested at a Walmart at Loop 1604 and Nacogdoches Road.
Nieto is accused of attempting to steal household items from the store.
According to SAPD officials, Nieto was arrested by an off-duty SAPD officer and civilian loss prevention officers.
"It's extremely disappointing, not only from my perspective as the chief of police, but as a member of the San Antonio Police Department," Police Chief Anthony Trevino said.
SAPD officials said Nieto is facing charges of fraudulent destruction concealment of writing, as well as a theft of less than $50.
This was Nieto's second arrest in less than 10 days.
He was arrested on May 5 after he allegedly stole ammunition from a Northeast Side sporting goods store.
In that case, SAPD officials said the in-store security team watched him on camera as he tried to conceal merchandise, then walked past cash registers.
Nieto had his two children with him at the time.
SAPD officials said the case from May 5 is still pending and department intelligence and internal affairs are investigating.
"As much as everybody wants to rush to judgment and have some immediate action taken, we have to go about it in a smart way because what we don't want to do is ultimately lose an administrative case because we're having a knee-jerk reaction to a particular situation," Trevino said.
Mike Helle, president of the San Antonio Police Officers Association, said he expects Nieto's credentials and weapon have been taken away. He also said unless both cases are dismissed, Nieto will almost certainly be fired.
Below is a mugshot from Nieto's first arrest on May 5:
