Firehouse.com

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Oct. 1--West Newton police are investigating the apparent theft of thousands of dollars reportedly missing from the borough fire department's bank account.

"I am conducting an ongoing investigation involving an alleged theft involving an ex-firefighter," Sgt. Anthony Gillingham said Wednesday.

No charges had been filed.

Gillingham refused to confirm how much money was reported missing.

But Nick Sewchock, former department president, said it was "a little over $5,000 missing for 2009."

Sewchock, who took office in January but later resigned, said that the treasurer informed him this year that no money had been received for several weddings that had been held at the Youghiogheny Ballroom. The fire company operates the rental hall on Riverside Drive in the borough.

He said he looked into it and was told that the weddings were paid for in advance.

"We checked on the weddings and there were no deposits made," Sewchock said. "We started to dig more deeply and found more money missing. We turned it over to the police to let them handle it."

Sewchock, a retired police officer from Finleyville, said he moved to the West Newton area about four years ago. He joined the fire department as a member of its fire police.

He resigned several weeks ago but not because of the missing money, he said.

He cited instead a lack of support for the department, largely from would-be volunteers who become put off by the amount of training required.

But he found himself back on the job recently. He joined Sutersville Volunteer Fire Department as a member of its fire police.

"It's closer to me," he said.