MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. -- Moundsville employee Eva Stein went from working in the city cashier's office, to posing for a mug shot in the very same building, according to police.

Officers said in January an auditor's a random sample of parking and speeding tickets paid in the city cashier's office showed the money wasn't in the city's funds. So at random, they checked out 20 more ticket payments.

"The tickets had been run through the system, indicating that they had been paid, the customer receives a receipt, but you go back and check the fee report for that day, the money wasn't in the city's account," said Sgt. Darren Whipkey with the Moundsville Police Department.

According to a criminal complaint, Stein pocketed some of the money coming in for speeding and parking tickets throughout 2007.

“She's the only employee that was here every time that there was a theft," Whipkey said.

So far, investigators said they've found 48 instances in which the embezzlement occurred, totaling at least $5,500.

"Generally the smallest ticket's going to be around 40 bucks," Whipkey said. “One ticket I saw, could have several charges that's involved in this case was $892."

Stein's been suspended from her job during the investigation. Whipkey said because Stein is a fellow city employee, this has been one of the toughest cases his department has had to investigate.

"I've known her for 10 years. Always gotten along with her,” he said. “That's the most difficult part."

Investigators will have a better picture of exactly how much is missing when the auditor wraps up the case within the next couple weeks. Stein is out on bond and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for later this month.