BLOOMINGTON – A probable cause affidavit filed in Monroe County Circuit Court 9 in the case against Indiana State detective Daniel Crozier started after Crozier has a strange conversation with a coworker.
Crozier was arrested on felony charges of theft of a firearm and official misconduct.
An evidence specialist at the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post reported a strange conversation with Crozier.
The evidence specialist told the detective that Daniel Crozier was at the post that morning and asked the evidence specialist about the destruction process of guns being held in evidence, how they were tracked and why they were not put up for sale saying he would buy them. He then asked the specialist if anyone looked at the weapons before they are destroyed.
Feeling uncomfortable, about the discussion, court documents say the specialist lied to Crozier, saying the guns were tracked in the computer, counted, and inspected prior to transport and that they were checked during audits. The specialist told investigators Crozier continued to ask questions. Crozier then said he had to leave and go home to take care of his dog. But during the investigation, Crozier told detectives he needed to go home to check on his daughter.
Crozier came back in about an hour later and parked in front of the evidence barn where the weapons are stored. The technician told detectives he asked Crozier what he needed and he drove off. Crozier then stopped and asked if the alarm was set, which the technician said it’s always set.
Crozier told the specialist that he needed two gun boxes and had to deactivate the alarm to get them. However, those gun boxes were inside the ISP post for all troopers to use.
Detectives reviewed security footage and found Crozier parked his truck directly in front of the evidence barn on two occasions. The way he parked, partially blocked the views of the two security cameras.
On the first occasion, according to court documents, Crozier is seen on the video footage entering the evidence barn and then carrying something out in a brown paper bag. He is then seen putting that bag under the front seat of his truck. He then grabbed something and went back into the barn. He then exited the barn and closed and locked the door.
Crozier told investigators he had lost a pocket knife and was looking for it. He then admitted to taking a handgun from the box and resealing it. He said he took the gun home to “reference it against one of his guns”. He denied stealing the gun saying he was only interested in the after-market night sights on it. He denied removing any part from the gun or firing it. However, investigators found a note on his laptop from a few months before the incident referenced “replace Glock sights.” Crozier told investigators he kept the gun for a week and then returned it. He told investigators he never thought he would be caught.
A warrant was issued for Crozier’s arrest on August 24th. On August 25th he posted a $2,500 bond and was released from jail. Crozier is being represented by Joseph Lozano and Crozier’s initial hearing was waived. Crozier was placed on electronic monitoring. A pretrial conference is scheduled for September 28th at 2 p.m. before Judge Mary Ellen Diekhoff.
