[04/24/03]The shop foreman for Vicksburg Warren School District’s transportation department was arrested Wednesday and accused of selling district-purchased equipment for his own income.

Donald Reed, 47, 5774 Warriors Trail Road, was charged with embezzlement following an investigation by the district and the Warren County Sheriff’s Department.

Inventory discrepancies were found by school officials in the transportation department and the office of finance, Superintendent Donald Oakes said.

Three sets of emergency lights for mounting on vehicles were ordered when the district needed only one, Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said.

One set was found in the transportation department’s inventory, and the other two were found at a local towing service, Pace said.

He said the owner of the towing service indicated he purchased the lights from Reed.

Reed is suspended without pay pending further investigation, Oakes said.

He declined to comment further on the details of the embezzlement.

“I respected Mr. Reed and depended on him,” said the district’s transportation supervisor, Bill Keen. “He did his job well.”

Reed, who had been employed with the district for 13 years, was responsible for assigning jobs to mechanics for bus maintenance and repair at the shop on Mississippi 27, Keen said.

Reed was released from the Warren County Jail on a $2,500 bond, Pace said.