Connecticut's youngest town clerk ever elected in office was arrested after being charged with stealing $10,000 in town funds.

Elected the town clerk for Chaplin when she was 18-years old, Jody L. Pearl, now 26, was charged by police with first-degree larceny. She surrendered when she was notified by the state troopers.

Pearl was accused of taking $7,000 to $10,000 in cash while she held office. The funds came from fishing license fees and other funds according to Chaplin First Selectman Rusty Lanzit.

"We are all shocked and surprised," Lanzit said. "She had the potential for a great career, but she made a bad decision."

According to Pearl's affidavit, she used the money for her personal purposes and for the bills that she and her boyfriend accumulated.