County correctional officer turns in badge after theft charge

A veteran Cook County Sheriff’s correctional officer was charged with theft after he allegedly pocketed a Movado watch he knew was stolen.

Last year, a Cook County Jail inmate in Division 11 told the officer, Fernando Munoz, about a storage facility where stolen goods were being kept, prosecutors said.

A few days later, Munoz met an associate of the inmate at the storage facility in the city, Assistant State’s Attorney Daniel Weiss said.

Munoz didn’t take anything, but two weeks later he allegedly went back to the site and asked for a Movado watch worth $1,200. Cook County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Sophia Ansari said Munoz agreed to pay for the watch at a later date but didn’t hand any cash over.

Munoz, who was off-duty at the time, was arrested as he left the facility.

It was unclear why 48-year-old Munoz was arrested a year later after the alleged crime.

Munoz, of Cicero, has been a sheriff’s deputy for 12 years, Weiss said.

Munoz was released on his own recognizance after a brief court hearing Wednesday.

Munoz has turned in his badge and shield, his attorney said.

Judge James Brown also ordered him to turn in his service revolver.