MILWAUKEE (WTAQ) - A Milwaukee police officer pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he lifted $200 from a store where he was investigating a burglary.

37-year-old Carl Howell waived his right to a preliminary hearing, and he entered pleas to felony misconduct in office and misdemeanor theft.

A trial date could be set at Howell’s next court appearance on February 14th.

Prosecutors said Howell was alerted to a cash drawer that was not touched in a convenience store burglary he was investigating last November. Officials said he went back and took some cash to help him catch up with his rent.