By Stephen H. Cowles

The Tidewater News

A Windsor man who once led the town’s police force was arrested Tuesday on felony charges of embezzlement and obtaining money under false pretenses.

Arlis V. “Vic” Reynolds, 39, turned himself in to the Virginia State Police, and he was later released on bond, according to Corinne Geller, a spokeswoman for the state police. An Isle of Wight County grand jury presented the charges on Monday.

Reynolds was charged with embezzlement for allegedly using town property to barter for a personal rent payment, said Geller. She added that the other charge comes from his alleged misuse of state grant money intended to supplement police personnel expenses that were connected with conducting selective traffic enforcement and safety operations.

The State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Chesapeake Field Office had been looking into the matter since October, when the Isle of Wight Commonwealth’s Attorney asked state police to investigate allegations against Reynolds.

Reynolds became chief in 2010 after about four years with the Windsor department. He also has served in the U.S. Army.

Reynolds was abruptly fired the Saturday morning before Christmas last year. First Sgt. R.D. Riddle has been serving as interim police chief.

Attorney General Mark Herring’s office is handling the prosecution, with Senior Assistant Attorney General Patrick Dorgan named as special prosecutor on the commonwealth’s behalf.

The investigation is ongoing, Geller wrote in her news release.