CCSO deputy arrested following theft investigation

A deputy with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office has been arrested and placed on administrative leave following an investigation into theft.
Early Friday morning, the CCSO received complaint from a resident alleging a deputy had stolen money from a vehicle during a call for service.
Supervisors immediately began looking into the complaint, a CCSO release stated.
During that process, it was determined that criminal conduct had possibly occurred involving the deputy and assistance was requested from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in conducting a criminal investigation.
That investigation resulted in the arrest of Ruslan Lipelis, 50, of Lake City. Lipelis has been placed on administrative leave pending the conclusion of an internal investigation.
“We hold our employees to the highest standards of professional conduct,” Sheriff Mark Hunter said in a release. “There is no tolerance for this behavior, and we will act swiftly to hold those accountable who violate public trust. While I am extremely disappointed in the actions of this individual, I am proud of our employees who work each day to serve our community with integrity.”