Cochise Co. official bails out of jail after theft arrest

SIERRA VISTA, AZ (Tucson News Now) - A Cochise County elected official has bailed out of jail after being arrested by Sierra Vista Police on Friday.

Constable Scott McManaway faces theft and fraud charges.

McManaway was sworn in as constable in Cochise County in November 2014, but now two years later, he's accused of stealing property from local residents. In his position as constable, he often conducts evictions for the court.

One of the items McManaway is accused of stealing was a wooden sword, said Sierra Vista Det. Sgt. Sean Brownson, who says an eyewitness saw it happen, which is what got the ball rolling on the investigation into McManaway.

"It's a Japanese Katana style replica, made of wood and very sentimental to the owner," Brownson said. "There were witnesses that saw him take the wooden sword from the apartment complex a week ago, on the 14th."

The lead detective said authorities also recovered a replica BB gun and several computer parts they believe he stole from an eviction back in July.

Nobody answered the door Saturday when a reporter visited McManaway's Sierra Vista home. But neighbors shared their thoughts on the situation.

"Aren't they supposed to be sworn in and supposed to be honest and tell the truth? Well, I don't think this was honest of him," said neighbor Andrea
St.Germain.

Sierra Vista Police plan to look into several past evictions that McManaway conducted.

When asked, Brownson acknowledged it is possible there are more items McManaway allegedly stole.