Detroit police officer charged with felony theft

DETROIT (WJBK) - A Detroit police officer who has been suspended without pay was charged Friday with a felony on accusations that he stole equipment from a car a Detroit police station.

Michael Merritt, 40, was charged Friday with larceny from a motor vehicle, a felony that carries a maximum of five years in prison.

According to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy's office, Merritt was on duty at the third precinct on Grand River on September 19th when he took a hydraulic jack and tools from a truck parked in the police lot and put it on the on the ground.

Worthy's office said he then pulled his personal vehicle to the tools and put them in the back passenger seat.

Merritt has been suspended from the Detroit Police Department without pay. He was arraigned Friday.

"It's definitely a shot to the heart but let's not forget the reality of everyone is entitled to their day in court and their due process as well," said Mark Diaz, the DPD union president.

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