PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WSAZ) -- A Kentucky highway worker in Pikeville is charged with theft.

Pikeville Police claim Patrick Yates used his state credit card to buy gas, then sell it for a cheaper rate and pocket the money.

Police believe Yates made hundreds of dollars in this scheme and say most of it was caught on gas station surveillance cameras.

Investigators say the state transportation department noticed Yates was spending more money on gas than his state vehicle could hold.

They say surveillance video shows that Yates met people at a gas station and would use his state credit card to pay for their gas.

The person would then pay him half of what the gas cost.

Detective Phillip Reed says, “He admitted he was using the gas card unauthorized and that he was meeting people and just wanted to get the cash they were paying him.”

Yates worked in the engineering branch of the transportation cabinet.

Transportation Department officials say they are cooperating with the Pikeville police investigation and conducting an internal investigation.

Yates is charged with a felony and the case is going to a Pike County Grand Jury.