A Vermont state trooper, Trooper Giancarlo DiGenova, was suspended after he allegedly stole a Rolex watch and other valuables from an evidence room

A Vermont state trooper was suspended after he allegedly stole a Rolex watch and other valuables from an evidence room.

A Vermont state trooper was suspended after he allegedly swiped a Rolex watch and other valuables from an evidence room, according to authorities and court documents.

Trooper Giancarlo DiGenova was placed on paid leave Dec. 19, 2022 over the alleged thefts from a temporary evidence storage room, state police announced last week.

In addition the gold Rolex watch, stud earrings, Apple AirPods and a wallet were stolen, according to the court docs.

DiGenova showed the Rolex to another trooper and had the watch appraised by a Burlington jeweler, who reportedly told him it was worth $14,000, the court documents said.

The 44-year-old state trooper allegedly told investigators he bought the watch from a cousin but later returned it. He also told investigators he wanted to find a watch as a gift for his son’s 21st birthday, according to VT Digger, citing an affidavit.

Police searched DiGenova’s home for the missing items and seized his cellphone and a pair of “possible diamond earrings” the newspaper reported, citing court documents.

No charges have been filed.

His lawyer said there is no evidence DiGenova had the same watch that was taken from the evidence room. Attorney David Sleigh also argued a number of state troopers have access to the property room.

“In fact, what they’re saying is that the watches are the same (and) as far as I know, they have no proof of that at all, and so this really is a situation from my point of view, that innocent coincidence has led to this,” he said Wednesday.

“It’s gone past just suspicion into an accusation that Giancarlo has done something untoward.” Detectives are investigating possible grand larceny, possession of stolen property and other charges, court records say. No charges have been filed.

The suspension of Trooper Giancarlo DiGenova, who has been with the state police since 2009, was announced last week by the state police. Police say they are unable to comment on the details of the case.

But a request for a search warrant that was approved by a judge Dec. 22 says the missing property included a Rolex wristwatch and other items seized by narcotics investigators and Burlington police on Nov. 22.

The search warrant request says that DiGenova showed a Rolex to another trooper and then had a watch appraised by a Burlington jeweler. DiGenova told investigators he’d bought the watch from a relative and returned it.

DiGenova’s lawyer, David Sleigh, said Wednesday that a number of troopers had access to the property room. DiGenova had been trying to buy a watch for his son’s 21st birthday and he got one from a cousin that he later returned. Police have no evidence the watches DiGenova had were the same as the one missing from the property locker, Sleigh said.

“In fact, what they’re saying is that the watches are the same (and) as far as I know, they have no proof of that at all, and so this really is a situation from my point of view, that innocent coincidence has led to this,” he said. “It’s gone past just suspicion into an accusation that Giancarlo has done something untoward.”