CLUTE, Texas – The chief of Clute's police department is facing multiple charges.
Mark Wicker was the longest-serving police chief in Clute's history. He became chief in 1988.
"Mark was a great guy," resident Tim Williams said. "Been knowing him, see him at basketball games. He's done a lot for our community. We had a big, big drug problem around here and Mark cleaned it up a lot."
Wicker's resignation and pending criminal charges have shocked many in the community.
"A lot of people around this area are very, very disappointed in what is happening," resident Sistos Lara said.
Wicker resigned as police chief earlier in September. His resignation came after he was indicted by a Brazoria Coutny grand jury on charges of theft, tampering with a government record and misapplication of fiduciary property.
"It put a strain on the community," Williams said. "It's already bad, the talk and I hated to see that happen."
The theft charge against Wicker involves rented generators taken from NRG Park. Sources tell KPRC 2 that Wicker worked private security at the park during football games.
The other two charges involve the Clute Police Department's asset seizure fund -- money police departments get from seizing criminal assets and then are allowed to use to buy necessary equipment. Court records read Wicker is accused of falsifying records on how this money was spent and "by giving forfeiture funds to a private individual for a private reason."
KPRC 2 tried to speak with Wicker at his home, but there was no answer.
"A lot of people want to know exactly what happened," Williams said. "We're not exactly sure because it's a lot of hush-hush."
Clute Mayor Calvin Shiflet declined to comment on the case. Shiflet said he was called to testify before a grand jury, so he can't talk about the case. He did say another reserve police officer was also indicted in the investigation and fired.
