BELLE — The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) is investigating a city of Belle employee on allegations of theft.

According to Master Sergeant Shawn Griggs with the Division of Drug and Crime Control, the department was asked at the beginning of December to investigate the situation by Belle Police Chief Jerry Coborn.

“I can confirm a couple of things for you,” Griggs began during Jan. 6 conversation. “In December we were asked by the chief of the Belle Police Department to conduct an investigation into the possible theft, involving a city employee of the Belle Cty Hall.”

According to City Hall staff, MSHP has been in the office twice.

“We began investigating at the chief’s request and the investigation is ongoing,” Griggs said. “We take every lead seriously and follow up on all of them.”

Coborn confirmed on Jan. 9 that he did request MSHP to investigate.

 “I know the investigator has been over here twice to interview people,” Coborn said. “It is an open case right now.”

Coborn said he requested assistance from MSHP after office staff came to him about court funds disappearing.

“Individuals have come to court several times complaining that they had paid court costs and had receipts, but the money has not been deposited into the banks,” Coborn said. “They were given receipts from the person taking the money but the money that was taken had not been deposited.”

Coborn reiterated that the allegations are not against a current employee.

“When our investigations are complete, we forward the entire case to the prosecutor,” Griggs said. “At that point, it is not our case anymore, it would be the prosecutor’s case.”

MSHP is still conducting interviews and following up on leads in the case. Griggs is uncertain when the investigation will be complete. He reiterated that the MSHP Division of Drug and Crime Control has to be invited into the situation to become involved.

“The way we become involved in an investigation of this type is by an official request from the police chief, sheriff, local prosecuting attorney, or attorney general’s office,” Griggs said.

Belle Mayor Daryl White, Jr., said on Jan. 3 that the city has prove on its side that funds are missing, but denied having had an audit yet.

“We don’t know how much for sure yet, we don’t know what the grand total is,” White said. “We’ve proven on our side that funds are missing, but it is for them to investigate.”