Former Venice, Illinois police chief faces charges

KSDK -- A former Venice, Illinois police chief has been accused of stealing money.

Madison County Sheriff Capt. Brad Wells said a Grand Jury indicted Shawn Tyler, 36, of Harrisburg, on one count of official misconduct, two counts of theft over $10,000 and two counts of aggravated offenses relating to motor vehicle.

Investigators said detectives investigated Tyler after the Venice mayor asked the sheriff's department in August to look into whether Tyler may have sold vehicles that belonged to the City and never gave the City the money.

Tyler was also accused of taking money from two Venice Police Club accounts. The Venice Police Club is a fraternal organization established by police officers in Venice, Illinois. Tyler was the president when he was the Venice police chief.

Tyler was the Police Chief in Venice, Illinois until May of 2009.

He was taken into custody in Saline County on October 3. Tyler was transferred to the Madison County Jail and was being held on a $50,000 bond.