MANCHESTER – A Derry man faces larceny and embezzlement charges in Massachusetts for allegedly pocketing thousands of dollars from selling surplus government vehicles on eBay, the online marketplace.

Joe Lydick sold the town vehicles and equipment -- trucks, police cruisers, snowplows -- in his role as director of purchasing for North Andover, Mass., said Lt. Paul Gallagher, the town's lead detective on the case.

Lydick is scheduled to appear today in Lawrence District Court in Massachusetts on three counts of larceny over $250, a five-year felony, and three counts of embezzlement by a municipal official, a 10-year felony, according to Gallagher.

"We are talking tens of thousands (of dollars)," Gallagher said in a phone interview.

Lydick was arrested Monday night with assistance of the Derry Police Department.

The town of North Andover has an eBay account, which Lydick was authorized to use in his capacity as purchasing agent.

In that job, he had oversight of all school and municipal procurement. He was placed on administrative leave Monday.

Gallagher said the town began investigating the allegations when one prospective buyer inquired about making a check out to Lydick, instead of the town.

The acts in question occurred over six to eight months, police said.

The investigation is continuing. Lydick is facing possible other charges in connection with the case, Gallagher said.

Police are working with Town Manager Mark Rees, who hired Lydick sometime in 2008, to examine the extent of the alleged crimes, according to Gallagher.

He called it an unusual case.