Pubdate: Thu, 27 Jan 2000 Source: Chicago Tribune (IL) Copyright: 2000 Chicago Tribune Company Contact: 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611-4066 Website: http://www.chicagotribune.com/ Forum: http://www.chicagotribune.com/interact/boards/ COP DRUG-BUY CASH MISSING EVANSVILLE, INDIANA - Thousands of dollars disappeared from the drug-purchasing fund of the Evansville Police Department while former Vanderburgh County Sheriff Ray Hamner was chief from 1980-89, authorities said. The discovery, announced Tuesday, was made in the course of a probe of the drug-buying money that disappeared from Hamner's office during his two terms as sheriff from 1991-98. Hamner pleaded guilty Monday to a felony theft charge. He admitted stealing up to $58,000 from the sheriff's department's fund. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D