Southeast Missouri police officer charged with stealing from department

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- A former Cooter police officer turned himself over to authorities Thursday to face stealing charges.

The Sikeston Standard Democrat reported Zack Martin, 24, of Hayti, Mo., was arraigned before Judge Byron Luber Thursday on felony charges of stealing, according to a press release from Pemiscot County Sheriff Tommy Greenwell.

In addition to being a former police office for the city of Cooter, Martin has also worked for other law enforcement agencies in Pemiscot and New Madrid counties.

An investigation into a report that some items were missing from the Cooter Police Department's evidence room began in March.

During the investigation, it was learned that two pistols and a portable breath test used in DWI cases were missing.

As access to the evidence room was minimal, investigators developed a person of interest for the thefts. Martin reportedly was later questioned and confessed to stealing the pistols.

Martin was released on a $15,000 bond after being booked in the Pemiscot County Justice Center.