The director of Gadsden’s public works department was jailed late Wednesday afternoon on a theft charge, according to jail records.

Thomas Hilton, 59, was booked into the Etowah County Jail at 4:55 p.m. on a charge of theft of property, records showed.

Both the city’s incoming mayor, Craig Ford, and current Mayor Sherman Guyton were aware of Hilton’s arrest, the Gadsden Times reported.

Ford said he would not elaborate until the investigation that led to Hilton’s arrest is complete, while city attorney Lee Roberts said Guyton and other city political leaders were awaiting the outcome of the full investigation, according to the Times.

Roberts said city officials were likely to meet Thursday to discuss Hilton’s job status, the Times reported.

Further details on Hilton’s arrest were not immediately available.