The mysterious disappearance of cash has officials in one Mississippi small town scratching their heads.

The Woodville Republican reports that Police Chief Lemuel Rutledge is investigating a concerning incident at the Woodville Town Hall where cash paid for a traffic citation fine mysteriously vanished.

The incident, initially reported by Woodville City Clerk DeLaine Adams, has prompted Chief Rutledge to consider potential embezzlement or theft.

According to the incident report, Deputy Clerk Tarwonna Walker discovered a $100 shortage in bond money related to a traffic citation on April 1. Deputy Walker raised the issue with Mayor Drew Pierson before noticing on April 4 that all but $160 of the $1,264 total fine money had disappeared from an envelope locked in her desk.

Chief Rutledge, upon returning to Woodville, met with Adams and Deputy Clerk Kim Veals to gather information. Despite no evidence of forced entry into the town hall or Walker’s desk, Chief Rutledge is diligently pursuing leads, requesting written statements from the involved parties.

Surveillance footage from the Woodville Municipal Building provided little insight, showing routine activities but no suspicious behavior.

“This is an ongoing investigation,” stated Chief Rutledge, emphasizing the seriousness of the matter.

The Town of Woodville convened a special meeting on April 12 to discuss the missing funds and cash management procedures. While no formal action was taken, the incident underscores the importance of maintaining financial integrity within the community. Chief Rutledge and local authorities continue their efforts to unravel the mystery and ensure accountability in Woodville.