DA says more arrests in embezzlement case

A Portales man faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on charges he embezzled more than $600,000 from the armored car service that employed him.

Scott Kirby, 22, was indicted Wednesday. Ninth Judicial District Attorney Matt Chandler said he expects additional arrests in the case, but would not elaborate.

Portales police officers and an FBI agent seized $242,342 from Kirby’s home on March 6, according to court documents. Chandler said on Wednesday that authorities believe Kirby took more than double the amount initially recovered.

Chandler said managers for the Chili’s Restaurant and Applebee’s Restaurant in Clovis and managers from the Wal-Mart stores in Clovis and Portales use the armored car service. Kirby was supposed to deliver deposits from the four businesses to banks, according to a press release from the DA’s office.

“We’re going to document every bill and do our best to return the funds to the merchants,” Chandler said.

Fawn Kirby called Portales police on March 5 to report her husband, Scott, was missing, according to court documents. Portales Police Capt. Lonnie Berry said police received a call from FBI agents on March 6 stating that banks were missing deposits from area businesses estimated in excess of $300,000.

Fawn Kirby called police on March 6 and told them her husband was back home and wanted to turn himself in, according to Berry.

Kirby will be arraigned in Roosevelt County District Court within 30 days, according to a press release from the district attorney’s office. Kirby is being held at the Roosevelt County Detention Center on $10,000 bond.

Officials with Respond Inc., the armored car service that employed Kirby, could not be reached for comment.

Michael Garrett, Kirby’s attorney, also could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.