WAILUKU >> A former Maui police officer is being ordered to pay a $5,000 fine for stealing $500 from a woman he arrested three years ago.

The Maui News reported Wednesday that 33-year-old Steven Gunderson was one of three officers fired in March 2009 after an internal police investigation.

Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza says Gunderson avoided jail time because he’s a first-time offender.

Gunderson had pleaded guilty to second-degree theft and tampering with physical evidence for throwing away a suspected drug pipe.

Defense attorney William Sloper says Gunderson is taking responsibility and admitting wrongdoing.

Another former officer involved in the incident, 37-year-old Kristopher Galon, is awaiting sentencing for sexually assaulting the woman and picking her up in his police car.