A Poland Township employee faces criminal charges including theft in office after a month long investigation by police.

Twenty-eight-year-old Ray Beatty, Poland Township's Assistant Road Superintendent was officially charged not only with a felony of theft in office, but a misdemeanor of theft without consent.

He's accused of allegedly stealing truck loads of slag from the road department in broad daylight according to sources.

The Poland Township Board of Trustees have now placed Beatty on administrative leave with pay pending a pre-disciplinary hearing.  

Trustee Eric Ungaro reported the alleged crime to the Poland Township Police Chief Brian Goodin back on August 3rd.

Ungaro says he received information from someone who wanted to remain anonymous and asked the chief to investigate.

According to the police investigation, Beatty had a private company remove the slag from the township facility and take it to his Calla Road home in Poland.

Ungaro said the road grindings belonged to Poland Township and Beatty did not have the authorization to remove them.

It's unclear whether Beatty was allegedly using the slag for his own personal use or selling it.

21 News paid a visit to the road department but no one was outside and no one responded when we rang the door bell or when we knocked on the door.

Bob Lydell, chairman of the Poland Township Board of Trustees, says Beatty is innocent until proven guilty.

"Everything we're doing is by the book.  We're not looking to have a witch hunt on anybody.  We think that this is very unfortunate.  And you're right, innocent until proven guilty and that's why again we're going through all the proper procedures step by step," Lydell said.

There are surveillance cameras on site at the road department and according to the police report, there were other witnesses, and sources say possibly other video.  The exact value of the theft is unclear.

"I know people would like to see swift action, but that's not really what you would want for anybody," Lydell said.

Beatty will be in court to answer to the charges later this month.