Officers arraigned on larceny charges

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Two Springfield police officers were arraigned on larceny charges in Springfield Superior Court on Monday.

The two officers, Steven Buzzell and Leonardo Matos, were not required to appear in court. Their lawyers entered not guilty pleas on their behalf. They will be back in court in February for a pre-trial hearing.

Prosecutors say the two patrolmen cleaned out the wallets of three men during a traffic stop on June 27, 2008. According to the police reports, Buzzell pulled over a car during a traffic stop, took the occupants' wallets, and returned them empty before allegedly pocketing $2,000. Matos allegedly "stayed close to the sidewalk" during the incident. The officers each face three counts of larceny.

Public records show that Buzzell made $81,000 on the force in 2007 and Matos earned $54,000 in the same year. Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney told 22News there has never been problems with either officer in the past.

The Associated Press reported that the two officers were suspended without pay after their indictment on Nov. 21.