APD Cop arrested, may be tip of iceberg

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - At a surprise news conference Tuesday evening the Albuquerque Police Chief announced that an APD officer had been arrested and accused of theft.   News 13 learned he's under the microscope for something bigger, a steroid ring.

APD Police Chief Ray Schultz says Daniel Burge has been under investigation for months; and this may be just the tip of the iceberg.

“The Albuquerque Police Department has arrested a member of the Albuquerque Police Department, “said Chief Schultz at Tuesday's news conference.

On Tuesday Burger, a seven year APD vet, was jailed for breaking down a door at a Rio Rancho apartment complex and taking off with a TV almost a year ago.

That apartment was home to another APD officer, who was also his roommate.

Following up on a tip, investigators got a search warrant earlier this month and found the TV in Burge's home but Schultz said, “The serial number had been removed from the television and there was no way to tie it back to that specific burglary. ”

The owner of the TV was able to describe scratches on the side of the television; “We were able to match up those scratches.”

Burge's name rang a bell with News 13 - for more than a week we have been working with sources who say he is part of an illegal steroid ring. News 13 asked the Chief about it point blank.

The Chief responded with, “We had received some information about some activity that was concerning to use last spring. ”

The Chief says his department asked the FBI to help investigate and that other cops could be involved.

“There are other officers who are being looked at and again I don't know the names or the number of officers,” said Schultz. “But this is an investigation that has been going on for several months… If we can determine that steroids were used or possessed improperly or illegally by any member of the department obviously they would face additional discipline. ”

The Chief says they never got to the point where they had enough probable cause to test the officers for steroids. He said no steroids or other stolen property was found at Burge's home.

Burge has been on paid suspension since earlier this month. His bond is $2500 but he only had to post $250 cash, which he did and he's now out of jail.