COOS BAY — The city’s finance director is on paid administrative leave, pending investigation of a suspected shoplifting incident.

Janell Howard was stopped by a Wal-Mart staff member Sunday, according to a city press release. Because of Howard’s job, the city handed off the investigation to the Oregon State Police.

At about 6 p.m., a Wal-Mart employee contacted Coos Bay police to report that Howard was stopped when she tried to leave without paying for an item valued at $12.57.

The store was handling the incident as a civil matter, the normal practice for third-degree theft cases, Coos Bay Police Chief Rodger Craddock said. Third-degree theft involves stealing merchandise worth less than $50.

A store typically reports such an incident to police to find out whether the suspect is wanted for any other crimes. If the suspect’s record is clear, the store usually handles the matter itself, allowing law enforcement agencies to focus limited manpower on more serious crimes.

This case will be handled differently because of Howard’s position with Coos Bay.

Craddock said it is not known yet whether Howard took the item on purpose or by mistake.

“The purpose of the investigation is to determine if there is probable cause that a crime has been committed,” Craddock said.

Phone calls to Howard’s home for comment were not returned by press time.

An OSP detective sergeant based in Roseburg will investigate. If OSP finds probable cause, the case will go to the Coos County District Attorney’s Office, the press release said.

If that happens, Howard could be issued a citation, Craddock said.

Because of the ongoing investigation, City Manager Chuck Freeman said he didn’t want to comment on what would happen if Howard had attempted to take the item.

“If she is guilty, she’s got a big problem,” he said.

Freeman said Howard’s current salary is around $80,000 a year.

According to the city of Coos Bay’s Web site, Howard has been Coos Bay’s finance director since May 1998. Before her appointment, she worked in public accounting in the Coos Bay/North Bend area for six years. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Oregon and is a licensed public accountant. She grew up in Brookings and has lived in the Bay Area since 1992.