Woman Gets Prison For Morrisville Ambulance Squad Theft

A Morrisville woman was sentenced to up to three years in prison this week for her role in theft from the now-defunct Morrisville Ambulance Squad.

Ruth Roxy Rookstool, 59, was sentenced Monday to 15-36 months behind bars for her part in thefts and insurance fraud perpetrated while she was an official with the struggling ambulance squad.

She and Brian Eckert, the former chief of the squad who was sentenced to house arrest in October for his role in the thefts, stole more than $132,000 from the company and various insurance companies over the course of about seven years.

In August, a jury convicted Rookstool of theft, insurance fraud and criminal conspiracy. In addition to using squad checks and credit cards for personal expenses, Rookstool and Eckert fraudulently enrolled Rookstool in company insurance benefits for which she was not eligible.

Eckert, 42, pleaded guilty in the case and testified at Rookstool's trial.

Prosecutors say that despite the jury's verdict and having spent three months at Bucks County Correctional Facility, Rookstool "displayed no remorse" in court on Monday, offering only a "non-specific apology without taking responsibility for the harm she caused."

"The defendant was convicted of a sophisticated series of crimes that were designed to put money in her pocket and deprive the Morrisville Ambulance Squad," said Deputy District Attorney Marc J. Furber, who prosecuted the case. "The conviction and sentencing of Ruth Roxy Rookstool should send a message that those who steal from volunteer organizations will be held accountable."

Judge Wallace H. Bateman, Jr. also sentenced Rookstool to 10 years on probation and ordered her to make restitution totaling $101,634.