EL CAJON -- More than $60,000 in cash, checks and credit card receipts were stolen from the East County Courthouse, and an employee who had access to the money is missing, court officials said Wednesday.

The money, which was stolen over the weekend, came from payments of fines, fees and forfeitures in the court's traffic, small claims, criminal and civil departments.

Meanwhile, an investigation has been opened into the disappearance of David Macias, a 47 year-old court supervisor who oversaw court calendars in the East County court's criminal division. Macias had access to the money, said Karen Dalton, spokeswoman for San Diego County Courts.

Macias' mother filed a missing person report after he left home on Sunday and failed to return, said sheriff's Capt. Glenn Revell.

Macias, who has 27 years' experience in the court system, is "a person of interest," Revell said.

Dalton said the theft could affect some 450 people whose payments were received by the court on Friday -- including mailed payments and those made at the counter.

The court is trying to contact those whose payments might be affected, Dalton said, adding that anyone with questions about the situation can call (619) 441-4336.