A former East Brewton police officer charged in connection with the theft of drugs from Fred’s pharmacy has pleaded not guilty.

Matthew Kirk, 36, of 118 Duncan St. and a former lieutenant with the East Brewton Police Department, was arrested last week on a grand jury indictment charging him with two counts of burglary, one count of theft of property; and an ethics violation.

He was released on $100,000 bond shortly after he was arrested Aug. 17.

Kirk was implicated in the March burglary at Fred’s pharmacy by his brother, Jason Kirk, Escambia County Sheriff’s Department officers have said.

A confidential informant told ECSO officers that Jason Kirk had told him that he had a large quantity of Xanax, which deputies suspected were from the Fred’s burglary.

Jason Kirk is incarcerated in Escambia County, Fla., charged with a variety of narcotics offenses, including trafficking drugs.

Officers said he implicated his brother during his confession, saying that Matthew Kirk was on duty during the burglary.

A Facebook page supporting Matthew Kirk has attracted 175 members, some of whom have posted that they believe he is innocent.