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Ansonia officer Mustafa Salahuddin speaks to reporters after being found not guilty in theft of a garden hose, March 17, 2010.

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Officer acquitted in garden hose theft

Updated: Thursday, 18 Mar 2010, 8:43 AM EDT
Published : Thursday, 18 Mar 2010, 8:28 AM EDT

    Derby, Conn. (AP) - A Connecticut police officer has been acquitted of allegations he stole a $25 garden hose from his police department and says he plans to sue for alleged false arrest and malicious prosecution.

    A Derby Superior Court jury on Wednesday found Ansonia officer Mustafa Salahuddin not guilty of sixth-degree larceny after less than a half-hour of deliberation that ended the three-day trial.

    The hose went missing in May 2008 but was found days later in the police department basement.

    Salahuddin and his lawyer say the arrest was retribution for his outspokenness, including his successful fight a decade ago against the department's ban on facial hair. Salahuddin is a Muslim and is required to wear a beard.

    Police Chief Kevin Hale defended his actions in the case.

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