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Former Sunbury Police Chief Brad Hare, 47, of Sunbury, was charged Wednesday with a felony count of theft by unlawful taking and three misdemeanor counts of theft by unlawful taking.
Hare is accused of using his role as secretary of the Americus Hose Company to gain access to the fire company's office and steal nearly $7,000 from the organization's safe, according to state police.
Following arraignment, Hare was released on $15,000 bail. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 31.
Hare's retirement was unanimously accepted by the Sunbury City Council at Monday night's public meeting without comment or discussion.
Hare had been with the department for 22 years, and was named the chief of police in November 2019.
Suspicions of theft arose following Americus paying out the shares of the profits to the owner of the video gaming machines, prompting fire officials to install video surveillance in the office of the company's social hall, which allegedly captured Hare committing the thefts, police said.
Officers from Americus confronted Hare about the thefts on Aug. 24, where Hare allegedly confessed to multiple officers about taking the money, police said.
Hare is being represented by Ed Greco, the chief public defender of Northumberland County, however, he is representing Hare as part of his private practice.
The Northumberland County District Attorney's Office intends to recuse itself from the case, according to Police Cpl. Garrett Marvich. The state Attorney General's office will prosecute the case.
Jerome Alex, the president of the Americus Hose Company, released a statement following the hearing on Wednesday.
"An officer of the Americus Hose Company has been charged with theft from our club," said Alex. "This is deeply disappointing to us, however, we believe it was an isolated incident. Our officers are selected by election or appointment, and we believe it to be an honor to lead our organization. Our organizational structure relies on trusted volunteers to manage our finances. Unfortunately, this trust was likely violated. Theft or purposeful misappropriation of funds cannot be tolerated and must be determined by our legal system. If convicted, we will seek restitution."
Alex said the company's security systems have been upgraded and its internal financial controls have been enhanced since becoming aware of the alleged theft.
Sunbury Mayor Joshua Brosious said a forensic audit of the police and finance departments was ordered in July after "irregularities in overtime payments" were discovered.
"This audit was started prior to any charges or any knowledge of anything going on with the police chief," said Brosious. "Once the audit is complete, I will release the findings to the public."
Brosious reserved comment on the criminal charges levied against Hare.
Hare has faced scrutiny as police chief in the past.
He served briefly as the chief in 2015, but resigned from the position after seven months, the night before an external investigation into his force was launched into the inappropriate behavior of two officers.
An investigative report completed in December 2016 by Philadelphia law firm Ballard Spahr revealed that Hare deleted potential evidence on a city-issued cell phone and iPad related to the investigation into the two officers.
Hare at the time said that before he surrendered the officer's cell phone to City Council, he deleted information pertaining only to other investigations that police -- and not City Council members -- should view.
According to his contract, "Hare shall be entitled to payment into his retirement by the city in a sum in an amount and manner consistent with that which is currently compensated by the Sunbury Police Officer's Association. Upon his retirement, he shall be paid any unused sick time, at a rate of 75%."
Brosious said on Monday night that he would assess the situation and have a plan to replace Hare at the next public council meeting on Oct. 23.