On Nov. 2, 2002 Figueroa and his partner, assigned to the 50th Precinct, were called to the Kingsbridge home of a 64-year-old woman who was recovering from brain surgery.

The woman, whose name was not released, called the police for help when her medical alert machine stopped working. She had recently had a brain tumor removed, and she needed the machine to call for medical help.

After Figueroa and his partner left the victim's apartment on Sedgwick Ave., authorities said, the woman discovered that an envelope containing cash and three sequentially numbered money orders, totaling $600, were missing.

The victim, who is on a fixed income, had cashed her monthly Social Security check and bought the money orders. Her public benefit identification card also was missing.

Money orders banked

Once the theft was reported, the NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau and the Bronx district attorney's Rackets Bureau launched an investigation.

The probe discovered that the money orders purchased by the elderly victim had been deposited into the defendant's bank account, Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson said in a statement. The money orders had been made payable to Figueroa and the name of a relative of the defendant was signed as the payer, he said.

Figueroa, of New Windsor, was arraigned yesterday before Acting State Supreme Court Justice John Byrne. Released in his own custody, Figueroa is due back in court June 27.

The officer, assigned to the 50th Precinct since 1993, was suspended from duty. Figueroa's attorney, Jose Cotto, could not be reached for comment.

published on May 14, 2003 NY DAILY NEWS