A sergeant with the San Francisco Police Department was arrested after he was suspected of robbing a Rite-Aid in San Mateo Wednesday, officials said.
San Francisco police Sgt. Davin L. Cole tried to flee on foot from the Rite-Aid store on Concar Drive, but responding officers captured and arrested him on suspicion of robbery, according to San Mateo police. He was off duty at the time.
Cole was allegedly looking for painkillers, a claim his attorney, Tony Brass, doesn't deny.
Brass said his client started using painkillers in 2010 after he was bitten by a dog while training with the canine unit.
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"This is a vicious addiction and one that caused him to lose control," Brass said.
Cole posted a $57,500 bail and was released Thursday.
"He is on his way, as we speak, into intensive residential drug rehab," Brass said.
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San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said the case involves public trust.
"I don’t care who it is, whether it’s somebody with a long record or a cop with a distinguished career, if they violate the law we’re going to hold them accountable," he said.
San Francisco police officials told NBC Bay Area that Cole joined the department in 1994, and he was most recently assigned to field operations.
Cole was placed on unpaid leave pending an internal investigation, police said.
