SAN DIEGO -- A sheriff's deputy was arrested Friday on charges of embezzling thousands of dollars from an East County homeowners association for which he served as treasurer, police said.

Detectives arrested Ronald Minoru Sakamoto, 44, Thursday morning at his Santee workplace, according to police in La Mesa, where the alleged theft occurred.

Last week, the president of the Lake Murray Gardens Home Owners Association reported the suspected misappropriation of between $18,000 and $20,000 from the organization's coffers, Lt. Allen White said.

The patrolman, who was booked into county jail in lieu of $200,000 bail, will be on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case, White said.