A Clinton woman was being held Friday in lieu of $100,000 cash bail after her arrest earlier in the day on charges that she had embezzled thousands of dollars from her former employer.

Joyce Carpenter, 48, was arrested at her home by Detective David Cole, of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division.

Police allege that Carpenter took the money over a period of about a year from the Tradewinds store on Madison Road in Norridgewock, according to Sheriff Dale Lancaster.

The sheriff’s office received a complaint June 14 from the store owner, who told Cole that it appeared Carpenter stole more than $10,000 from the store while employed as a clerk and having responsibility for cash that was received.

“This is an active investigation and the total amount of money has not been determined at this time,” Lancaster said in a news release. “It is alleged that Carpenter embezzled thousands of dollars.”

On Friday, Cole met with Carpenter at her home in Clinton, where she reportedly admitted having taken the money from Tradewinds, saying that she needed the money for living expenses.

Carpenter was arrested on a charge of theft, a class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison if she is found guilty. She was taken to the Somerset County Jail in East Madison, where her bail was set at $100,000 cash.

Carpenter remained in custody late Friday, according to a jail intake officer. The charge is a class B felony because the amount allegedly stolen exceeds $10,000, Lancaster said.

Carpenter’s initial arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 12 in Somerset County Unified Court in Skowhegan.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367

dharlow@centralmaine.com

Twitter:@Doug_Harlow