A man who worked for the city of Belmont is accused of using the city’s credit cards to pay for gas for his own car.

Jarreal Grier told a judge he will hire his own attorney. Police said he admitted to stealing $60,000 worth of gas from the city of Belmont.

Charles Plosky, who lives in Belmont, was surprised when Eyewitness News told him about the charges against Grier.

“It's just wrong,” Plosky said.

Belmont City Manager Barry Webb said Grier was a trusted city employee. He says Grier took a job in public works in 2009 and then resigned a year later.

The city manager said no one noticed a fuel card missing from one of the city trucks. They rehired Grier last month and said they discovered unusual fuel charges.

“It started small,” Webb said.

Most of the charges were made while Grier was not employed with the city.

Police said he used a fuel card and another employee's PIN number. But he was captured on gas station surveillance video, officials said.

“The city and its residents have been cheated out its money,” Webb said.

Officials said the city is working to find out if other employees were involved and exploring ways to prevent this from happening again.

“We want to see this prosecuted to the fullest extent, including any possible restitution,” Webb said.