Selma Police arrested a Selma city employee Monday and a recent city employee on theft charges connected to stealing car parts from a police lock-up.

Former public works employee Terence Marshall and current public works employee Herman Ellis were taken into custody, charged and placed in the Dallas County Jail. The two were still in the jail as of late Monday afternoon

According to Selma Chief of Police William Riley, Ellis reportedly paid Marshall $200 to remove the drive shaft and transmission from a SUV stored at the city’s holding lot on Water Avenue. He then reportedly paid Marshall an additional $150 to install those stolen parts into a SUV registered in Ellis’ name.

“The incident was reported to us on Jan. 19,” Riley said. “At that time we began an investigation. We came across Mr. Marshall’s name as someone who might be connected with the theft. During the interview, he did say he had removed the items from the car.”

The car itself was in police custody as property tied to an October drug arrest.

Marshall, who was an employee of the city at the time of the theft, used his position and access to the lot to allegedly aid in the theft, Riley said.

“At the time of the theft, he was an employee of the city, but is not now,” Riley said, adding he was not sure when Marshall’s employment with the city ended.

As for Ellis, he is currently employed with the city, Riley said.

According to the approved city budget for 2010-2011, both Marshall and Ellis were included in the public works department’s employee roster. Marshall was listed as a full-time laborer 1, while Ellis was listed as full-time litter vac driver.

Marshall’s bond for the theft of property first charge was set at $500,000 while Ellis, who was charged with receiving stolen property first, had his bond set at $250,000.

– Times-Journal director of digital media Leesha Faulkner contributed to this report.