Milwaukee officer pleads not guilty to theft charge

MILWAUKEE (AP) - A Milwaukee police officer who's accused of stealing about $200 from a store where he was investigating a separate burglary has pleaded not guilty to two charges.

Carl V. Howell entered his plea Thursday after waiving his preliminary hearing. The 37-year-old is charged with felony misconduct in office and misdemeanor theft.

Prosecutors say Howell was called to a Milwaukee convenience store last November for a reported burglary. The store owner showed him a drawer of cash that the burglar overlooked.

The criminal complaint says surveillance video captured images of Howell returning to the drawer later and slipping some cash in his pocket. The complaint quotes him as acknowledging he took about $200 because he was behind on his rent.

A message left with his defense attorney was not immediately returned.