Authorities have announced a man has been arrested and charged with stealing credit cards and belongings of several deceased persons while transporting their bodies to the morgue.

According to authorities, Kevin Thomas Jr., 43, of Sayreville used his position as a driver for a service company that transports deceased individuals to gain access to the belongings of several of the deceased.

Thomas is accused of removing credit cards, wallets and other possessions of the deceased while he transported the bodies.

Authorities say Thomas then fraudulently used the stolen credit cards to purchase plane tickets, groceries, movie tickets and other items at various small businesses throughout Middlesex County.

Following an investigation, Thomas was arrested Tuesday at his home. He was charged with third and fourth-degree credit card theft, third-degree identity theft, fourth-degree possession of prescription drugs without a prescription and three counts of fourth-degree possession of a credit card without consent.

After his arrest, Thomas was lodged at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center.

Investigators did not say how they were tipped off to the alleged thefts.