PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- More than 10 days after the Perryville city government announced it had fired four employees as a result of an investigation into stolen city property, charges hadn't been filed Monday against those employees.

Perryville city attorney Tom Ludwig said Monday afternoon that an ongoing city personnel investigation that began in February "had proceeded far enough that it was apparent firing was appropriate" and that a portion of that investigation warranted turning the matter over to the police.

According to the Perry County Republic-Monitor, Perryville police chief Keith Tarrillion confirmed Wednesday that a criminal investigation is underway and involves the theft of several types of scrap materials, including No. 1 and No. 2 copper, red brass, aluminum and metal bare bright, or pure copper with no insulation or coating. The value of the materials was estimated to be $6,500 or more. The police department is examining the past three years for possible related activity.

Perryville city administrator Brent Buerck said Monday the missing scrap materials were from the city's public works department. He said departmental practices regarding scrap and salvage materials were established by Jeremy Freeman, the former public works director. Leftover materials are supposed to be deposited into bins behind the public works facility for disposal or recycling by the city. The city also has ordinances that prohibit the removal of items from the trash, he said.

The Perry County Republic-Monitor newspaper and KTJJ/KREI/KJFF Regional Radio of Farmington, Mo., reported the identities of the fired workers, including at least one high-ranking city official, but the Southeast Missourian has been unable to confirm that they were the individuals involved. Buerck said Monday that because it is a personnel matter, the city cannot legally release the names of the terminated employees and any reports of the workers' identities did not originate from city sources. If charges are filed by the police department, the names of the suspects can be released.

Stealing is a felony when the value of the property is $500 or more.

In another salvage case in January 2011, three Perryville men were charged with felony burglary, felony stealing and misdemeanor property damage for the theft of scrap metal in Perry County. They were given sentences ranging from supervised probation to four years in prison.

"If the chief of police feels he has a supportable case, it will be turned over to the state prosecutor for review," Ludwig said.

The administrative assistant to Perry County Prosecuting Attorney Thomas Hoeh said Monday that no charges have been forwarded to his office.

Phone and email messages Monday to Tarrillion were not returned by late afternoon.

salderman@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

215 North West St., Perryville, MO