PERU, Ind. (AP) _ A north central Indiana police officer is serving a five-day suspension after the police chief says he lied about leaving his patrol car running unattended.

Peru Police Chief Ray Raney cited Officer Rod Richard with conduct unbecoming of an officer and disobeying a direct order in ordering him to serve the unpaid suspension.

Richard began his suspension Wednesday in the city about 80 miles north of Indianapolis.

The Kokomo Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/1AgvMbx ) Raney said Richard left his squad car unattended and running outside the police station on Monday but didn't acknowledge that it was his when the chief asked whose car was outside.

Raney says he's repeatedly warned his officers not to leave their police cars running unattended because it can lead to vehicle theft, weapon thefts and citizen complaints.