US cop 'stole newspaper coupons'

A US police officer accused of stealing bundles of coupons and inserts that go in the Sunday newspaper has been arrested and suspended without pay.

Police say they arrested Jesse Ferrell on Friday after Rhode Island officers saw him trying to break into a company that distributes The Providence Journal.

Police say they began investigating Ferrell after the internal affairs bureau received a complaint about two weeks ago. The company says bundles of inserts were disappearing.

Police Deputy Chief Thomas Oates said there's a market for the inserts but didn't say what Ferrell was doing with them.

Ferrell was charged with breaking and entering and larceny and was released on $US10,000 ($A12,925) personal recognisance.

The 49-year-old officer has been on the force for 19 years.