Former New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson was arrested Friday on larceny charges after authorities alleged he stole $85,000 from two city funds, prosecutors said.

Karl Jacobson, who stepped down from the department in January, turned himself in on an arrest warrant and was later released on a $150,000 court-set bond. He faces two counts of larceny tied to alleged fraud involving public funds.

"An allegation of embezzlement by a police official is a serious matter and potentially undermines public confidence in the criminal justice system," Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin said in a statement.

Jacobson’s lawyer, Gregory Cerritelli, said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital that he couldn’t respond to the specific allegations, but noted that "an arrest is not evidence of guilt and allegations are not proof."

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"This is the beginning of a very long process," he stated. "I urge everyone to keep an open mind and avoid a rush to judgment."

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker called the allegations "shocking" during a news conference, and he said the former police chief had at first only admitted taking $10,000 from one account.

"We didn’t know how deep this went," Elicker said, adding that the arrest warrant outlined that Jacobson had "severe issues" with gambling.

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"It’s a very sad day for the city to see a chief, who was beloved by so many people, arrested for a theft of public money and also money that was intended for children," Elicker said.

Last month, Elicker announced Jacobson’s retirement, saying the former chief acknowledged taking money from a city fund used to pay confidential informants who assist in narcotics investigations, according to The Associated Press.

Elicker also said the former chief had confessed to taking the funds for personal use after being confronted by three of his deputies over financial irregularities.

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The State’s Attorney’s Office said the investigation revealed that $81,500 was unaccounted for or misappropriated from the New Haven Police Department Narcotic Enforcement Program Fund between Jan. 1, 2024, and Jan. 5, 2026. 

Bank records show that department checks were deposited into Jacobson's personal checking account, prosecutors said.

Investigators said they also found two checks totaling $4,000 were allegedly embezzled from the New Haven Police Activity League Fund in December 2025.

Jacobson was a member of the department for 15 years before serving a three-year stint as police chief.

Fox News Digital reached out to Jacobson's attorney for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

FIRST ON FOX: The Trump-Kennedy Center was the target of what officials described as a "calculated, malicious attack" early Friday after a "toxic chemical" was poured onto its outdoor ice rink, forcing a performance cancellation.

Trump-Kennedy Center leadership said a dark substance was poured onto the ice surface, severely damaging the outdoor arena.

Leadership said the incident was not a protest but an act of outright vandalism targeting the Trump-Kennedy Center.

"Today, a targeted attack on the Trump Kennedy Center vandalized and destroyed our outdoor arena, causing severe damage that we unfortunately must cancel tonight’s performance, but we are working feverishly to complete repairs so programming can resume tomorrow," Roma Daravi, vice president of public relations for the Trump-Kennedy Center, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "We have turned over video footage to the authorities who are investigating this calculated, malicious attack and hold those responsible accountable."

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Leadership added that violence "will not be tolerated" at the Trump-Kennedy Center and said those responsible would be held accountable.

Trump-Kennedy Center officials said a brown-black substance was poured across the ice early Friday morning. Images from the scene show the material spread widely across the rink, with what appears to be a gallon-sized milk container visible on the ice.

Leadership at the venue said the substance was "toxic." The exact chemical has not yet been publicly identified.

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The vandalism forced the cancellation of a scheduled performance at the Trump-Kennedy Center by Montreal-based skating company Le Patin Libre.

The incident comes amid a broader transformation of the Trump-Kennedy Center following a leadership overhaul and significant funding secured for long-deferred infrastructure improvements.

The board of trustees voted unanimously in December 2025 to rename the facility "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts." 

President Donald Trump was later elected chairman of the board.

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Fox News Digital previously reported that the Center plans a temporary closure beginning July 4 for an extensive restoration and modernization project. Leadership has cited roughly $250 million in deferred maintenance and aging infrastructure accumulated over decades. 

Congress appropriated $257 million for renovation work in Trump's "One, Big, Beautiful Bill" and officials have described the project as critical to stabilizing and preserving the nation’s premier performing arts institution for future generations.

The complex, which opened in 1971, has faced years of financial strain and structural deterioration before new funding was secured.

Daravi said the institution intends to pursue accountability for the damage and restore the outdoor arena as quickly as possible, so programming can continue as scheduled.

Neither a suspect nor a motive have been publicly identified by either the Trump-Kennedy Center or authorities.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident as the Trump-Kennedy Center works to restore the damaged outdoor arena and resume scheduled programming.

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.