A former Fresno police detective was arrested Thursday, Oct. 9, after a federal and state investigation determined he had stolen cash from the department’s evidence room.

Rey Medeles, 37, was booked into the Fresno County Jail on a charge of grand theft. The California Attorney General’s Office said that Medeles embezzled over $60,000.

Bail was set at $30,000, the Fresno Police Department originally reported.

The Fresno Police Department discovered missing funds in May 2024. Concerned the theft could indicate a broader problem, officials requested a full, independent criminal investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Medeles was terminated in June 2025 following an internal administrative review.

The FBI and California Department of Justice handled the arrest.

Fresno Police Chief: We’ve Beefed Up Safeguards

“Although this arrest is not a proud moment for me or our department, I want to reassure the public that when we discover serious misconduct, we take swift and decisive action,” Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto said in a previous statement. “I am grateful for the collaborative efforts of the FBI and California DOJ in helping us to ensure the former detective is held accountable for his actions.”

Chief Casto said Medeles had been under an unrelated administrative investigation before the theft was uncovered but was unable to provide further details.

She added that the department has strengthened safeguards in its evidence room, including issuing body cameras to all detectives and increasing audits of cash and drugs.

Casto also said that the policy language has been reviewed during multiple Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) accreditation cycles. CALEA sets standards for law enforcement practices, according to their website.

No other employees were found to be involved in the Medeles incident criminally, Casto noted. The department is still investigating several matters involving other members administratively.

The department reported the misconduct to the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, and Medeles’ certification has been suspended, expected to become permanent.

“Despite rigorous vetting, such as psychological and medical examinations, as well as a full background check including financial reviews, we hire from the human race and misconduct does occur on occasion,” Casto said.

“Our commitment is that we monitor for misconduct on multiple levels and when it is identified, we ensure it is investigated and when permissible under the law, share it publicly. We have over 800 officers serving the community honorably 24/7/365 and the misconduct by the former detective is not reflective of their service to this community.”

Administrative vs. Criminal Investigations

Casto noted in a previous interview with GV Wire that when serious misconduct occurs, two separate investigations are typically conducted: an internal administrative review and a criminal investigation. This dual process can make it difficult for the department to provide full transparency.

Administrative reviews are handled internally, while criminal investigations can involve outside agencies, including the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, though the Fresno Police Department remains involved.

Even when a former employee is under criminal investigation, the department may still participate in the process. Police said the department’s level of involvement can change depending on the circumstances.

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