HOUSTON, Texas - August 30, 2010 - Houston Police Officer Matthias Dornellien, 24, was charged Saturday with theft by a public servant. He was later released after posting $5,000 bond.

The investigation that led to his arrest was conducted by Houston police and the District Attorney’s Office.

“There were several complaints to HPD internal affairs division about an officer that was stealing money from people detained on traffic,” said Donna Hawkins, a spokeswoman for the District Attorney’s Office.

An undercover investigator drove through the officer’s patrol area Friday while carrying $273 in marked bills.

Officer Dornellien stopped the car for a traffic violation. He pocketed the marked bills, handed the investigator a ticket then left without returning the cash, officials said.

Internal affairs investigators quickly stopped the patrol car and found the marked money - $173 on Dornellien’s clipboard and $100 in his sock, said Hawkins.

Dornellien was taken into custody at the scene. If convicted of the third-degree felony, he could face 2 - 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

He has been relieved of duty with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.