Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced today that the chief of the Maple Shade First Aid Squad has been indicted on charges of stealing more than $118,000 from the agency over a period of nearly seven years.
Joseph J. Freed III, 54, of the 400 block of North Coles Avenue in Maple Shade, was indicted on one count each of Elements of Computer Theft (Second Degree), Misapplication of Entrusted Property (Second Degree), and Theft by Deception (Second Degree).
The indictment was returned on January 25 and signed by BCPO First Assistant Prosecutor Philip S. Aronow. An arraignment will be scheduled soon in Superior Court in Mount Holly.
In total, Freed is accused of stealing $118,345.50. The thefts for which Freed is charged occurred between April 2010 and February 2017.
The investigation revealed that Freed made several withdrawals during that period from a bank account belonging to the First Aid Squad that was under his direct control. Freed, who was the only member of the squad with access to the account, used the money to pay personal bills and to fund other personal expenses. The majority of the withdrawals were made using automatic teller machines.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Andrew R. McDonnell, supervisor of the BCPO Financial Crimes Unit.
The case was investigated by detectives from Maple Shade Police Department and the Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit. The investigation was led by Maple Shade Detective Sergeant Scot Wallace and BCPO Detective Wayne Comegno.
An indictment is merely an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.