GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A retired Department of Public Works employee from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has been arrested and charged with stealing gasoline worth more than $28,000 over the course of more than a decade.
The man, 59, worked for the Lake Linden Department of Public Works in Houghton County for years before retiring in 2012. According to Michigan State Police (MSP), he took a key fob used for fueling the department’s vehicles, and despite his retirement, continued to use it for personal use. Police allege that he unlawfully filled up his own vehicle with fuel intended for department vehicles.
The investigation into the theft began in 2023, when authorities from both the Lake Linden Village Police Department and MSP launched an inquiry into the suspicious activity. The investigation came to a head when authorities caught the man using the stolen key fob to fuel his truck at a gas station.
While the man’s alleged thefts date back to 2012, he has only been charged for the crimes that occurred over the last six years due to the statute of limitations. On Wednesday, he was charged with three felony counts related to the theft of gasoline.
The case has raised concerns about the lack of oversight in the handling of public resources, as the key fob, used to track fueling activity, was not deactivated after the employee’s retirement. The investigation serves as a reminder of the potential for misuse of public equipment, even years after an employee leaves the workforce.
The former public works employee is currently facing legal proceedings, and authorities continue to urge vigilance in the management of public assets.
