He is charged with burglary and theft
By Chris Parker
Morning Call
LANSFORD, Pa. — A Lansford firefighter has admitted stealing five blank checks from the organization and cashing them at a Tamaqua deli for a total of $1,805, according to the officer — and fellow firefighter — who arrested him.
Christopher J. Puksar, 21, of 331 Pine St., stole the checks from American Hose Company No. 1, filled them out and cashed them at Paperman’s Deli between Sept. 14 to 21, borough police said.
Police on Saturday charged Puksar with burglary, criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property.
Puksar was arraigned the same day before District Judge Casimir Kosciolek of Lansford and sent to Carbon County Prison under $2,000 straight cash bail.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Lansford Patrolman Christopher M. Ondrus — also a firefighter with the company — Puksar admitted to police on Sept. 22 that he stole and cashed the checks. Ondrus investigated the matter with Tamaqua Patrolman Charles Whitehead.
Ondrus spoke with fire company President Chris Aungst, who said Puksar did not have permission to enter the office or take the checks, the affidavit says.
Ondrus said Puksar had been going to fire practice as of a few weeks ago, and the theft was out of character for him. Ondrus said he has known Puksar for a long time.
“This was a shock to me,” he said. “It takes lots and lots of man hours to put fundraisers to together, and to lose $1,800 over a matter of two weeks is heartbreaking.
“At least we could stop him before it got worse.”
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