Deputy resigns after drug theft accusations

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A Marion County Sheriff’s deputy who resigned earlier this week has been formally charged with buglary, theft and possession of a controlled substance.

According to court documents, Douglas Tibbs is accused of stealing prescription drugs from a friend’s home. The 33-year-old took hydrocodone medication from the home, which he broke into two separate times.

The victim noticed her pills were missing so she placed her camera phone in front of her pill bottle. When she reviewed the video, she spotted Tibbs picking up the bottle, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Tibbs told investigators he was hooked on pain medication after hurting his back a year ago.

According to court documents, Tibbs admitted to the theft, then later resigned from the Sheriff's Department and surrendered at his attorney's office.

"The sheriff has a zero-tolerance policy for this. If deputies are doing criminal acts, they won't be deputies," said Lt. Col. Byron R. Grandy.

24-Hour News 8 went to victims’ home. They declined to talk to us on camera, but they did release a statement.

"My wife and I are deeply saddened by this entire set of circumstances,” said Alex Redding. “This situation has been very difficult due to the friendship and trust that was being violated and the ramifications it will have on Mr. Tibbs, his family and his career. It has all been very shocking for us.”

Tibbs had worked for the Sheriff’s Department for eight years. On Thursday afternoon he was being held at the Arrestee Processing Center.