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Police officer arrested in sting

MCT REGIONAL NEWS

By Marie Rohde

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

(MCT)

Jun. 25--A veteran Milwaukee police officer has been suspended after his arrest in an internal sting operation, according to a search warrant filed in Milwaukee County Circuit Court.

Milwaukee County Deputy District Attorney Kent Lovern said his office was reviewing the case and would determine whether to issue formal charges early next week.

According to an affidavit by Det. Marilyn Francis in support of the warrant:

The officer, Uriel Arenas, 58, was sent to investigate an abandoned auto complaint on Tuesday.

Planted in the glove compartment of the unlocked car was an iPod, an undisclosed amount of money and license plates from another car. Both the exterior and the interior of the car were electronically monitored; the car was also being watched by other officers, according to the affidavit.

Arenas was also under constant surveillance from the time he left the scene until his return to the 2nd District station where he was supposed to have inventoried any recovered items. He was arrested at the station at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, according to the court records, on charges of misdemeanor theft, and felony misconduct in office.

The records indicate license plates were recovered, but do not mention the cash or iPod.

Anne E. Schwartz, spokeswoman for the police department, said Arenas was suspended Tuesday has been on the force for almost 18 years.

A second Milwaukee officer was charged Thursday with theft of electric service, Schwartz said, also as a result of investigation by the department’s Professional Performance Division.

Police Officer Ronald Bridges, 41, was charged with one count of misdemeanor theft, Schwartz said, and is currently suspended and has 17 years of service.

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