The man, 36-year-old Joseph David Smith of Blountstown, was arrested last week following an internal review by Belk management to determine exactly how much merchandise had been stolen.

Cullman Police investigator Rex Chambers said an audit of the department Smith worked in showed about $70,000 worth of items were missing, mostly jewelry.

Chambers said most of the stolen merchandise had already been sold before Smith was arrested, although one ring was recovered.

Smith has been released from the Cullman County Detention Center on a $20,000 bond.

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