Cop Accused Of Using Dead Man's Credit Card

A New York City police officer has been accused of stealing a dead man's credit card and using it to buy a diamond ring.

Officer Ymmacula Pierre allegedly took the 65-year-old victim's MasterCard after discovering his body during a wellness check in July, prosecutors said on Tuesday.

Two days later, she used the card online to purchase a $3,200 (£2,090) diamond ring from jewellery retailer Zales, according to court papers.

The decedent's relatives were notified by the store of the possible credit card fraud.

The purchase was tracked to Pierre, 30, based on a shipping address that matched the home of an associate and personal reference the officer listed on her NYPD application.

"No grieving relative should have to worry about alleged theft and misconduct by a uniformed officer in the aftermath of a loved one's passing," Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr said in a news release.

Pierre is charged with a felony count of criminal possession of stolen property, identity theft, attempted grand larceny and misconduct.

She pleaded not guilty in court on Monday and was released on her own recognisance.