Detroit Cop Accused Of Stealing Tools, Faces Felony Charges: Prosecutor

DETROIT, MI–A Detroit cop faces felony theft and misconduct charges after allegedly taking a jack and other tools from a truck at the Third Precinct station last month. Officer Michael Merritt, 40, was to be in court Friday morning for an arraignment on the charges.

Merritt was on duty the evening of Sept. 19 when removed the hydraulic jack and tools from a truck parked in a lot in the rear of the Grand River Avenue police station, prosecutors allege. He put the tools on the ground and a short time later returned in his car and put the tools in his backseat.

Watch: Detroit Cop Accused Of Stealing Tools, Faces Felony Charges

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Detroit police investigated the theft, according to a statement from Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. Merritt, who has been suspended from the force without pay, has been charged with larceny from a motor vehicle and misconduct in office. Both are felony charges and have a maximum of five years in prison.