ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — WFTV learned an Orange County corrections officer is still receiving pay after he was arrested after he was allegedly caught on video taking contents out of boxes and stuffing them into his pocket while wearing his uniform at a Kissimmee Walmart.
The officer, 37-year-old Michael Nikitenko, was arrested Monday at the Kissimmee Walmart and he was booked into the Osceola County Jail that same day.
But WFTV found out he is still being paid by the Orange County Jail where he works as a supervisor.
Some of the packaging was too big to fit into a pocket, so the Osceola County Sheriff's Office said the corporal took the contents out of boxes and stuffed them in his pocket. Officials said he was trying to steal a car charger, a knife, and $30 headphones, which would have been worth $68.
According to the charging affidavit WFTV obtained, Nikitenko told the arresting Osceola County deputy, "I shouldn't have done it."
"Did you treat this circumstance any different because it was a corrections officer?" WFTV's Raquel Asa.
"No. This circumstance was treated like any other individual who might have stolen from a retail store," said Twis Lizasuain, spokeswoman for the Osceola County Sheriff's Office.
WFTV went to Nikitenko’s home Thursday night to get his side of the story.
“Hey, Michael. We want to talk to you about what happened.”
Nikitenko wouldn't come to the door, but his father did even though Nikitenko tried to hold him back.
“I'm the homeowner of this situation!” said Michael Nikitenko Sr.
“He risked his job and his future, for one thing only and that was the love of his children,” he said. “He couldn't afford it and like an idiot, he took it and he admitted it, and he's upset about it."
“So why would he do something so petty and so silly?” WFTV’s Kenneth Craig asked.
“Because he had no money. All the money went to child support and his ex-wife,” replied Nikitenko Sr.
WFTV learned Nikitenko is still receiving pay because he took personal leave following the incident.
When he returns next Wednesday, an administrative hearing will be held at the Orange County Jail to decide what will happen to his job next.
A spokesperson for the jail told WFTV jail officials are aware of the charges and released the following statement, saying, "This is a very serious matter. Our department is taking appropriate action while preserving the corporal's due process rights."
WFTV
