LEECHBURG (KDKA) — The suspended chief of the Apollo Police Department has been arrested.

Paul Breznican, Jr., was arraigned in Leechburg and is now in the Armstrong County Jail.

He is accused of selling borough rifles, shotguns, ammunition and more worth thousands of dollars and pocketing the money.

“It’s very upsetting when a police officer is accused of violating the public trust,” Apollo Solicitor Chuck Pascal said.

The chief has been under investigation for several months, but so far, he is not commenting about the accusations that he stole from the public and violated their trust.

“No comment,” Breznican said when questioned by KDKA’s Paul Martino.

Breznican turned himself in to state police earlier in the day. His attorney, Greg Swank, says the chief will fight these allegations.

“They’re very serious charges and we intend to vigorously defend,” Swank said. “Well, I can’t lay out my trial strategy to the media.”

Swank fears for the safety of the chief while he is locked up with other inmates.

“You’re putting in a police officer in a jail with persons who he’s prosecuted,” he said. “So, the risks there, I guess they’re obvious.”

The chief is being held on $25,000 bond. He has been suspended with pay.

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