DARLINGTON (WKOW) -- The City of Darlington Police Department arrested a Darlington Community Fire District volunteer fireman for theft, after investigating a report of suspicious financial account activities at the fire department.
Police say Jonathon Grossen, age 30, of Darlington, was arrested on Friday, at 7:00 p.m. for allegedly stealing nearly $55,000 from the donation accounts held by the department and from the Darlington Community Fire Commission. He remains jailed pending future court proceedings.
The report referred to the Lafayette County District Attorney's Office by Chief Jason King alleges Grossen stole $47,284.40 from the donation accounts of the Darlington Fire Department and a check for $7,398.42 from the Darlington Fire Commission over a three year period of time beginning June 2, 2009 and ending on March 7, 2012.
Police say Grossen was the Membership Treasurer during that time and he stole the money in small increments that went unnoticed until recent months.
According to Darlington Police Chief Jason King, Grossen's position as Treasurer was a volunteer position entrusted to him through an annual Membership election process. Grossen was not re-elected this year and his term ended in March of 2012. It was after Grossen was not re-elected, and records that were entrusted to him were handed over, that several suspicious withdrawals were realized by other members of the department. Police say that once these suspicious withdrawals were confirmed, Darlington Fire Department members brought the matter to the attention of the Darlington Police Department and asked that it be investigated.
Police say an eight week investigation revealed Grossen allegedly made 66 unauthorized withdrawals during the three year time period he was treasurer, thereby depriving the donation accounts of more than $47,000. Grossen is further accused by police of stealing a more than $7,000 check from the Darlington Fire Commission. Police say the check was recovered and re-deposited into its proper account. Police say the cash Grossen allegedly stole has not been recovered.
The funds that remain missing are not tax dollars; they were donations.
Members of the Darlington Fire Department cooperated fully and assisted the Darlington Police Department in the investigation.
