Firefighter gets prison for torching truck to cover up theft

CLEARFIELD, Pa. – A central Pennsylvania firefighter who set fire to his truck in a scheme to cover up raffle ticket funds he stole is heading to prison for up to a year.

The Centre Daily Times reports 63-year-old William Verbeck, of Morrisdale, was sentenced on Tuesday to 30 days to one year in jail after pleading guilty to one count of arson.

Prosecutors say on Aug. 23, 2016, Verbeck reported his vehicle was on fire. Firefighters from area companies put the vehicle fire out but labeled it suspicious.

Verbeck later admitted to investigators he had started the fire to cover up theft.

A judge has ordered Verbeck to pay more than $7,400 to the fire company and the bank that had financed the truck. Verbeck will serve three years’ probation upon his release.

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Information from: Centre Daily Times, http://www.centredaily.com