An ex-employee with a Sister Lakes grocery market has been charged with embezzling more than $20,000 from his former workplace, according to authorities with the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department.

Kevin Burger, 44, of Benton Harbor, was charged with multiple crimes by Van Buren County authorities last week, following his apprehension by police on Dec. 20.

Burger is suspected of breaking into the Myers Super Value Store, where he used to work, stealing sales records and destroying some store inventory in the process.

According to police, Burger used to be a store manager at the supermarket, located 67796 M-152 Highway, before being fired for allegedly altering store sales records and embezzling funds. He was given a no-trespass notice following his termination.

During the early morning hours of Nov. 30, Burger is alleged to have illegally entered the building, removing over a year’s worth of sales records. Authorities also say he shut off the refrigeration equipment in the frozen food department, causing employees to dispose of the unsold inventory inside.

An investigation into the break-in by Van Buren deputies found that, in the remaining sales records not stolen from the property, more than $20,000 worth of shortages were present. County prosecutors then issued a warrant for Burger’s arrest.

The Benton Harbor man was arraigned in Van Buren Court on Dec. 22, where he was formally charged with embezzlement over $20,000, breaking and entering with intent, larceny from a building, and malicious destruction of property.

Anyone with additional information about this incident is urged to contact the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office at (269) 657-3101, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-342-7867, Silent Observer at (269) 343-2100, or their local police department.