Chelsea Police Chief Arrested, Accused Of Falsifying Bank Statement

Chelsea Police Chief Shawn McKibbin was arrested Friday on fraud charges in what investigators said was “an elaborate scheme” to get title to a house.

The Town of Chelsea suspended the Chief following his arrest. The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office is handling emergency calls to supplement the one officer left on duty.

Authorities said McKibbin was arrested by investigators with the Rogers County District Attorney's Office after they said he provided a bad check to a real estate agent.

Law enforcement said McKibbin admitted that he produced fake bank documents proving he had funds to buy the house.

Court records say McKibbin made a $329,000 cash offer for a house, but the check he wrote for $5,000 in earnest money bounced, and in response, he claimed he produced statements showing a balance of $460,727 in one account.

Investigators said the actual bank records showed his balance was $1187.

The lack of payment delayed a closing that the homeowners said forced them to abandon the purchase of another home and move back after leaving in anticipation of closing.

The homeowners said they had turned down a competing offer to take the cash deal.

A real estate agent says she loaned McKibbin the $5,000 earnest money after believing his story about why he couldn’t wire the money he claimed to have.

A call to Chief McKibbin for comment about the allegation and his arrest was not returned.

He posted bond and was released from the Rogers County Jail.