Crime & Safety
Lacey Police Dispatcher Admits Stealing $4.6K From Volunteer EMS Squad: Officials
Matthew Bender pleaded guilty to stealing $4,690 from Lanoka Harbor's volunteer EMS squad, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.
LACEY, NJ — A full-time police dispatcher who volunteered for Lanoka Harbor's emergency medical services squad pleaded guilty to stealing $4,690 from the volunteer organization, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Wednesday.
Matthew Bender, 33, of Lacey, pleaded guilty to theft on Tuesday, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.
As a volunteer with the Lanoka Harbor Emergency Medical Service (LHEMS), Bender maintained its website and had access to the LHEMS PayPal account.
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After LHEMS was awarded a grant on Feb. 2, authorities found $4,690 was transferred from the LHEMS PayPal account that Bender managed into his personal PayPal account, Billhimer said. Bender made purchases at restaurants, pharmacies and auto stores with the money.
Bender is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 7. The state will seek a term of probation, together with full restitution, forfeiture of his lifetime membership with the Lanoka Harbor Emergency Medical Service (LHEMS), resignation from his position with the Lacey Township Police Department, and forfeiture of any current or future public office or employment in the State of New Jersey.
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