ST. CHARLES, Mo. (AP) – A former suburban St. Louis police officer faces sentencing in May now that he has admitted stealing items from a car investigators had set up as a decoy as part of a sting operation.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (http://bit.ly/1Mobuc0) reports that 40-year-old Matthew Howze of Bowling Green pleaded guilty Monday in St. Charles County to charges of theft and evidence tampering.

Howze was charged in February of last year after authorities allege he stole a digital camera, parka, cordless drill, tool bag, sunglasses and cash from a car investigators had staged.

Howze was on duty as a St. Charles County police officer and was fired after his arrest.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 16.