Posted Wednesday January 23, 2012 --6:33 a.m.

A Milwaukee police officer is accused of stealing about $200 from a store where he was investigating a separate burglary complaint.

Carl V. Howell was charged Tuesday with felony misconduct in office and misdemeanor theft.

A criminal complaint says the 37-year-old Howell responded to a burglary report at a Milwaukee convenience store in late November. The store owner showed Howell a drawer of cash that the burglar had bypassed.

The complaint says Howell returned to the drawer alone a few minutes later, put some cash in his pocket and walked out. Prosecutors say the theft was captured on store surveillance video.

The complaint quotes Howell as acknowledging he took about $200 because he was behind on his rent.

A message left with defense attorney Michael Steinle was not immediately returned.

2013 Copyright: Associated Press