WARREN, Ohio - A Warren police officer has been fired after investigators allege that he towed a car from private property, and tried to keep it for himself.

Former officer Reuben Shaw had been on leave until yesterday, when Police Chief Eric Merkel informed Shaw that he has been terminated from his position.

According to Chief  Merkel, Shaw was investigating reports of possible trespassing on Kenwood Avenue last June, when he spotted a 1969 Chevy Nova in a garage.
 
Merkel says Shaw told other police officers that he'd like to have a car like the Nova so he could restore it.

Later that day, while still on duty, Shaw went back to the garage and had the Chevy towed to his own garage on Palmyra Road.

On the following day, Chief Merkel learned what happened and ordered Shaw to have the Nova towed to an impound lot.

Merkel says that Shaw did not have permission to be inside the locked garage, did not have permission to take the vehicle, and violated department protocol for towing abandoned vehicles.

Earlier this week, Shaw waived a disciplinary hearing that stemmed from the investigation.

Evidence in the case has been turned over to the Trumbull County Prosecutor.