Carl Howell pleads not guilty to theft, misconduct charges

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A Milwaukee police officer accused of stealing money from a food market during the course of investigating a burglary pleaded not guilty to the charges against him on Thursday, January 31st.

Carl Howell entered the plea during his preliminary hearing on Thursday. Howell faces one count of misconduct in public office and one count of felony theft.

The criminal complaint against Howell indicates that he responded to a burglary complaint at the Hopkins Food Mart in Milwaukee on Tuesday, November 20th.

The complaint indicates that during the investigation, the owner of the food mart showed Howell a drawer that contained cash belonging to the business that was not taken during the burglary.

The complaint says, “Several minutes later, Howell returned to the drawer alone, and retrieved cash from this drawer and placed it into his pocket.” The complaint says Howell retained possession of the money after leaving the store — and there was “no lawful reason related to the burglary investigation for Howell to take this money.”

The criminal complaint says Howell’s actions were captured on store surveillance video.

In a statement to law enforcement officials after his arrest, the complaint says “Howell admitted that he stole approximately $200 in cash from a drawer inside the Hopkins Food Mart. He stated “he needed the money because he was behind in his rent.”

If convicted, Howell faces up to three-and-a-half years in prison plus $10,000 in fines. Howell is due back in court on Thursday, February 14th.

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