Brian Gilpin has owned Illusion Sound & Lighting for 25 years, and in that time he never had reason to suspect one of his employees was stealing from the business.

That was, until early September. When Gilpin two months ago began to suspect a former employee had stolen more than $12,000 from the entertainment company in Earl Township, he was in "total disbelief," and it took him two to three weeks to come to grips with the situation, he said.

The former employee, Jean Marie Huyett, 33, of Denver, was arrested by New Holland police Detective Jonathan Heisse on Tuesday and charged with theft by unlawful taking or disposition and access device fraud.

"When someone's trusted, you put your guard down," Gilpin said. "I trust everyone who has ever worked for me .... When something like this happens, it's a complete shock."

Police allege Huyett, who was employed as a bookkeeper with Illusion from October 2007 until September 2008, made unauthorized charges on the company's credit cards and issued checks to herself from the company that were not authorized.

According to an affidavit, Gilpin discovered the thefts after he was notified by his bank that the company's accounts were overdrawn.

Gilpin brought in his accountant, who said Huyett had issued herself numerous company checks, used two company credit cards to purchase personal items and rented two vehicles in her name, which she charged to Illusion, the affidavit says.

Huyett stopped coming into work in September, police said.

Huyett was arraigned before District Judge John Winters, who committed her to Lancaster County Prison.

Gilpin said he has installed a new security system.

"I don't see a reason for people to steal things," he said. "Maybe it's just that I'm naive, but I really have been brought up to trust people."