The Carbondale Police Department arrested a city employee on suspicion of theft from parking meters, police announced Tuesday.

Curtis B. Kirksey, 52, of Carbondale, was arrested Sunday after an ongoing investigation of the thefts, which could have been occurring for months, said Chief of Police Bob Ledbetter.

City Manager Allen Gill said in a press release that Kirksey has been suspended without pay pending further investigation.

‘This is a very serious allegation which will be fully investigated,’ Gill said. ‘If the charges are proven, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken and prosecution will be pursued to the maximum extent of the law.’

Ledbetter said no further information was available as the investigation is ongoing.

The city’s human resources department refused to release Kirksey’s position at the city or the department for which he worked. City Clerk Janet Vaught said a request for records, otherwise known as a Freedom of Information Act request, would have to be filed to obtain this information.

Madeleine Leroux can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 274 or [email protected].