The manager and treasurer of a youth travel baseball team in Ocean County has been charged with stealing $6,500 from the organization and later robbing a bank in a neighboring town to try to repay the money while using his state-issued vehicle as a getaway car, authorities said.

Michael Walters, 52, of the Pine Lake Park section of Manchester, is charged with theft by deception and issuing a bad check, township police said in a statement. Walters is also charged with robbing a Santander Bank on Jamaica Boulevard in Berkeley, police said.

Walters’ getaway car in the bank robbery was a vehicle belonging to the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency, where he’s employed, according to police.

The story started to unfold Wednesday when coaches and team representatives for the age 10 and under team reported the suspected theft of the money to police in Manchester after learning Walters didn’t pay the winner of a fundraiser. Authorities in Manchester began an investigation.

The next day, a masked Walters walked into the bank wearing dark clothes and handed the teller a note demanding money, authorities said. After being handed money, Walters fled on foot to his car, which he parked a distance away “in an effort to thwart detection,, according to police. Walters then went to Manchester police staton and announced he was there to repay the money missing from the baseball organization, police said.

Manchester detectives were aware of the bank robbery, though, and found it strange that Walters showed up around the same time with a large amount of money, police said. They then obtained a search warrant and found items used in the robbery and cash were found in the vehicle, police said.

Berkeley police added that surveillance footage from doorbell cameras near the bank helped them gather evidence.

The money Walters allegedly stole was earmarked to purchase equipment and pay entry fees to tournaments.

Walters remains held at the Ocean County jail on Friday morning, according to the jail website.

The Department of Children and Families said in a statement late Friday that Walters has been suspended from job as am assistant family service worker. His salary is currently $57,328 per year.

“DCF staff are held to a high standard of personal and professional behavior and values,” Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer said. "The allegations against Mr. Walters are very serious, but thankfully, very rare among our staff of 6,600 honest and hard-working employees.

“DCF is fully cooperating with law enforcement in this matter, and Mr. Walters is currently suspended from his position with the Department, pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.”

Additional charges are possible, Manchester police said. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Richard Jupinka at 732-657-2009 ext. 420. Anonymous tips can be submitted online here.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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