Wilson ? The police chief in a small central Kansas town who was convicted of stealing beer from the fire department refrigerator has been fired.

The city council in Wilson on Monday night fired chief Brian Hill, who had been suspended without pay pending an appeal of his conviction on a misdemeanor theft charge. The council gave Hill the option of a hearing within the next two weeks.

The firing is effective Jan. 25.

Authorities did not disclose how much beer was stolen or why it was left in the fire department. A warrant put the value of the beer at less than $1,000.

Hill was arrested Aug. 1 after he was caught on surveillance tape taking the beer. He was convicted on Dec. 26 and given probation.