Sharon Hill Fire Chief Stole Thousands From Fire Company: DA

SHARON HILL, PA — A Delaware County fire chief has been charged with stealing thousands of dollars from his own fire company, the District Attorney's Office announced Friday.

William Henry Benecke, 51, of the 200 block of Reese Street in Sharon Hill, made unauthorized cash withdrawals and bank card charges, taking more than $4,300 of the fire company's money for his personal use, the DA said.

“Mr. Benecke knowingly stole from the tax payers of Sharon Hill Borough...breaching the trust of the very individuals he was appointed to serve and taking advantage of his position of authority," DA Katayoun M. Copeland said in a statement announcing the arrests.

A total of 15 ATM withdrawals were made using the fire company's bank accounts, including $305.99 from the ATM at Ceasars casino in Atlantic City, as well as five purchase from Amazon and the Apple iTunes store, according to the DA. The withdrawals and purchases were made from Nov. 2017 to March 2018.

The Sharon Hill Fire Company Board of Trustees advised police of the situation when they realized in early April that the $4,000 was missing from their accounts. The ensuing investigation led authorities to Benecke.

Benecke faces counts of theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, and receiving stolen property, all of which are third degree felonies. He has been suspended from his position with the fire company and was released from custody on $50,000 unsecured bail.

A preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 31.

Image via Delaware County District Attorney's Office