A 30-year-old Costa Mesa, California former police officer faces up to six months in jail after he allegedly hid an electronic tracking device on a woman's car and then used it to stage unexpected run-ins with her. The pair was "romantically involved."

The man was charged Thursday with a misdemeanor count of unlawful use of an electronic tracking device.

The man hid the GPS device, which belonged to Costa Mesa police department, on the car of a 32-year-old woman March 18, said the Orange County District Attorney's Office. He allegedly used it to track her to certain locations and then show up unexpectedly.

After the two met unexpectedly several times, the woman grew suspicious and checked her car, where she found the GPS device.

The seven-and-a-half years police veteran, resigned Wednesday.

The former police officer is free on his own recognizance. His arraignment is scheduled for next Wednesday.