A volunteer firefighter in Phoenix has been arrested and accused of stealing cans of gasoline from the fire department.
Matthew J. Fratello, 25, of 22 Maplehurst Dr., Phoenix was charged by Phoenix village police with two misdemeanors: petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property. He was released on an appearance ticket and has resigned from the fire department.
Phoenix Police Chief Rod Carr said the fire department’s chief and deputy chief reported the theft of the gas.
He said Fratello allegedly used a key fob to get access to the area where cans of gasoline are stored, starting about a week and a half ago. All firefighters are given key fobs, Carr said. He said the electronic lock records whose fob was used to gain access to the area.
Carr said Fratello allegedly took 7 cans of gasoline that held 21.5 gallons of gas.
The department had improved its security for gasoline stored on-site after a similar round of thefts 3 to 4 years ago, Carr said.
“I don’t know what they’re thinking,” he said of the thieves.
Carr noted that Fratello is also facing charges from what he described as a recent domestic dispute. He did not recall the exact charges.
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