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Indianapolis police officer's theft trial to start Monday


An Indianapolis police officer accused of robbing a total of $2,700 from two Hispanic motorists will go to trial Monday.



Officer David Butler faces 10 charges: four felony counts of robbery, five felony counts of official misconduct and one felony count of theft.

The first alleged robbery took place during a traffic stop in September 2010. Butler stole $2,000 from Andres Salazar, prosecutors say.

The second alleged robbery took place during a traffic stop in January 2011. Prosecutors say Butler stole $700 from Emiliano Vasquez's wallet at a gas station. Surveillance tape at the gas station captured the traffic stop.

Butler's trial is set for 9 a.m. Monday, when jury selection should begin. The trial could last until Thursday, court officials said.

After a pretrial hearing Thursday, Butler's attorney, Robert Turner, suggested that a "police impostor" is responsible for the crimes and questioned the credibility of some of the witnesses in the case.