City employee fired after stealing gasoline in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - A city employee has been fired after allegedly stealing nearly $1,000 worth of gasoline from the city pumps during a 3 1/2-month period.

Randy A. Graham, 31, of 3126 Bayberry Dr. SW, has been charged with third-degree theft. According to a criminal complaint, he admitted he used his city key without authorization to steal gasoline on about 17 occasions between Sept. 10 to Dec. 29, 2011. The total value of the stolen gasoline came to $994.50.

Cedar Rapids police Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said another employee was using the city pumps at 1201 Sixth St. SW and saw Graham filling gas cans. The employee watched and saw Graham carry the gas cans over to his personal vehicle. After the employee reported the incident, supervisors were able to check the electronic PIN system to determine other times Graham got gas, police said.

Graham was fired on Jan. 3. Two days later, he was arrested after he came to the police station for questioning. He signed a promise to appear in court and was released.

Graham had been a city employee since March 2002 and was most recently a service worker in the transit operations department, a city spokeswoman confirmed.