New Haven, Connecticut– The former police chief in New Haven, Connecticut, was arrested on Friday on theft charges after he allegedly stole $85,000 from two department accounts.
Carl Jacobson, who He retired suddenly From the department in January, he turned himself in on an arrest warrant. He was later released on bail set by the court at $150,000, the public prosecutor said in a press release. Jacobson faces two counts of theft related to defrauding the public community.
“The allegation of embezzlement by a police official is serious and likely undermines public confidence in the criminal justice system,” Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin said in a statement.
A message seeking comment was left with Jacobson’s attorney.
Last month, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, in announcing Jacobson’s retirement, said the former chief admitted he took money from a city fund that compensates confidential informants to help police solve crimes.
Elicker said the former president admitted to taking the money for personal use when three of his deputies confronted him about financial irregularities.
The city’s mayor described the allegations as “shocking” and a “betrayal of the public’s trust.”
Jacobson served for three years as police chief in one of Connecticut’s largest cities, which is home to Yale University.
The city of New Haven first reported the embezzlement allegations on Jan. 5, prompting the Connecticut State Police to launch an investigation, the state Attorney General’s Office said Friday. The investigation revealed $81,500 was missing or embezzled from the New Haven Police Department’s Narcotics Fund between Jan. 1, 2024 and Jan. 5, 2026. Money from the fund is used to pay confidential informants who assist in drug investigations.
“The defendant had access to funds in this fund,” according to a news release, which said bank records showed that checks associated with the fund were deposited into Jacobson’s personal checking account.
Two checks totaling $4,000 were also withdrawn from the New Haven Police Activities Association fund between Dec. 23 and 24, 2025. Both were found in Jacobson’s personal account, the district attorney’s office said. Investigators said no one else in the police department was involved.
Jacobson worked for the department for 15 years before being named chief. He previously served with the East Providence Police Department in Rhode Island for nine years.