Sept. 28--An unidentified Easton patrolman resigned Tuesday after the Easton Police Department allegedly discovered he kept a missing wallet, Capt. Carl Scalzo said at a hastily called press conference.

Scalzo said a West Ward resident found the wallet and turned it over to the officer on Sept. 2, but the officer never filed a report.

The owner then found out the wallet had been given to the police, but when he went to retrieve it on Monday, the police department couldn't find it or any report on it.

Police conducted an investigation on Monday and on Tuesday identified the officer who had collected the wallet, Scalzo said.

Scalzo said the officer admitted what happened and turned over the wallet, which had contained an I.D., credits cards and cash.

The matter has been turned over to the Northampton County District Attorney's office for a criminal investigation. District Attorney John Morganelli could not be reached for comment.

Scalzo did not release the name the officer, but Police Chief Larry Palmer said he has been with the police department for four years. Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said the police department will start the process of hiring a replacement officer Wednesday.

Copyright 2011 - The Morning Call, Allentown, Pa.