A former Columbia parking facilities manager is facing felony charges after allegedly stealing about $45,000 in coins from the city over a nine-month period.
Police say 39-year-old James Faup repeatedly took coins from a city coin room and exchanged them for cash at a Coinstar machine inside a Walmart.
Investigators say a tip from a witness who noticed someone in a Columbia Public Works uniform using the machine led to the investigation.
Court documents say Faup admitted to taking around $1,200 each time he accessed the coin room.
He has been charged with felony stealing and pleaded not guilty in Boone County court.
Authorities also noted Faup has a prior 2013 stealing conviction tied to his former job with University of Missouri parking enforcement.