North County Times, nctimes.com
BYLINE: TERI FIGUEROA tfigueroa@nctimes.com
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Carlsbad, CA

An arraignment was canceled Friday and the investigation continues for a Carlsbad police officer accused of stealing drugs from the department's evidence room, a San Diego County district attorney's office spokesperson said.

Vice and narcotics detective Michael C. Koch, 44, was arrested by fellow Carlsbad police officers after "numerous police employees" caught him stealing drugs from a storage room Jan. 19, according to a statement last week from the Police Department.

Koch, an 18-year veteran of the department, was arrested, booked into jail that night and posted $25,000 bail the following day.

The veteran officer was told to appear in court on Jan. 27 for arraignment, but that hearing was canceled, said district attorney spokesman Steve Walker.

Walker said the investigation is continuing, but declined to comment further.

Carlsbad police spokeswoman Jodee Sasway said the department is doing "a thorough and comprehensive investigation."

Koch is on paid administrative leave, Sasway said.

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