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John Carroll University officials confirmed on Friday that a physics department employee was arrested in connection with stealing jewels from a Cleveland museum. Police released this photo from the Dec. 3 incident.

(University Circle Police Department)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The man accused of stealing $81,000 in sapphires from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History is an employee in the physics department at John Carroll University, school officials confirmed.

Hans T. Wrage, 36, was arrested on Friday at the university on a warrant obtained by Cleveland police, according to a release from Cleveland police spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia.

Wrage, a part-time employee, was placed on administrative leave while the university investigates the allegations, said university spokeswoman Tonya Strong-Charles.

Jeffrey Dyck, chair of the physics department, said the department learned about the arrest Friday afternoon. Dyck declined to comment on the incident, but said members of the department are in shock.

A profile on the university's website says Wrage is a teaching and research support technician with expertise in introductory physics, laboratory development and apparatus designing, building and machining.

Wrage smashed a display case in the museum's mineral collection and stole seven sapphires on Dec. 3, police said.

Wrage is charged with grand theft, a fourth-degree felony. Information on his upcoming court appearance was not immediately available.

Ciaccia did not say whether the sapphires were recovered.

Museum spokeswoman Glenda Bogar said the museum was pleased to hear about the arrest, but would not provide other information because of the ongoing investigation.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story said Wrage was a faculty member, but a school spokeswoman said he is a part-time employee.

Cleveland.com reporter Karen Farkas contributed to this story.