MOULTRIE — An investigation into stolen gasoline has netted its second suspect: a Moultrie police officer.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation charged Wayne Edward Sheffel Jr., 41, of 54 Forrest Ave., Dec. 22 with violation of his oath of office and theft by taking, according to GBI Agent Ronnie Thompson.

Thompson said the GBI was contacted by the Moultrie Police Department about the thefts Dec. 21.

Thompson said no other details about the arrest will be made available by the GBI until Sheffel is brought to court.

Moultrie Police Chief Frank Lang said Sheffel has been placed on administrative leave with pay until a grand jury indicts him. The arrest came as a “total surprise” to the police department, as its investigation did not begin with the suspicion an officer was involved.

Sheffel’s arrest was actually the first of two unrelated arrests in the case, although the other was announced first. Moultrie police charged Marcus Alonzo Haywood, 25, of 434 31st St., with entering an automobile with the intent to commit theft and theft by taking Sunday.

Thompson said there is no connection between Sheffel and Haywood.

Haywood, a former employee in the city utilities department, allegedly obtained a gas card from a city vehicle. MPD Cpl. Alfred Anderson said he pumped 13.8 gallons of gasoline — worth $25.24 — about 11:30 p.m. Sunday at Peterson Petroleum, where the city is contracted to get its gasoline. He had used the city gas card without the city’s authorization or permission, Anderson said.

The investigation into the gas thefts is ongoing, Anderson said. Cpl. Teresa Hitt, with the department’s Patrol Division, said each city vehicle is assigned a gas card for use at Peterson Petroleum, and the city itself is under contract to get their gasoline from them.

Anderson said the investigation has been going on for a few weeks and is being handled jointly through the department’s Special Duty Unit, Patrol Division and Criminal Investigation Division.