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RI Police Chief Suspended, Accused Of Stealing Money From Purse

SCITUATE, R.I. (AP) -- The police chief of North Providence, R.I., has been arrested by the state police for allegedly taking money out of a vehicle involved in a police chase.

State Police Superintendent Steven O'Donnell says Police Chief John Whiting was arrested Thursday at State Police headquarters on one charge of larceny and two charges of solicitation of obstruction of justice.

Police say Whiting was pursuing a vehicle Sunday after he believed its occupants threw something at his car. The car crashed and the occupants fled. Whiting allegedly removed $714 from a purse left behind in the vehicle.

The state police say he confessed and returned the money to a Pawtucket police officer an hour later.

Whiting has been suspended without pay.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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