Karl Jacobson, the former police chief of New Haven, Connecticut, was arrested Friday on larceny charges for allegedly stealing $85,000 from department funds. Jacobson, who abruptly retired in January, turned himself in on an arrest warrant and was released on a $150,000 bond.

Authorities say Jacobson misappropriated $81,500 from the New Haven Police Department Narcotic Enforcement Fund between January 2024 and January 2026. Bank records show checks associated with the fund were deposited into Jacobson's personal checking account. An additional $4,000 was withdrawn from the Police Activity League Fund and found in his personal account.

The investigation began after New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker announced Jacobson's retirement last month, revealing the former chief had admitted taking money from a fund that compensates confidential informants. Elicker called the allegations "shocking" and said the case remains under investigation. The mayor noted that Jacobson initially admitted to taking only $10,000 from one account.