LAKE LINDEN, MI— A Lake Linden man has been arrested for stealing gasoline from his former employer.
Michigan State Police from the Calumet Post completed an investigation into Ronald Schmitt, 71, a retiree from the Lake Linden Department of Public Works. He allegedly stole gas from the DPW over a 12-year period.
Schmitt is accused of keeping a fuel key fob after he retired and using it for his own vehicles. Officials estimate he stole more than $28,000 worth of gas since 2012.
Officials with the Lake Linden DPW reported their concerns in November. Troopers worked with the Village Police Department and caught Schmitt attempting to fuel his truck with the stolen fob.
Schmitt was arraigned in Houghton County District Court Wednesday on charges of using a computer to commit a crime, larceny-greater than $1,000 but less than $20,000, and stealing/retaining a financial transaction device without consent. Due to statute of limitations restrictions, the charges were reflective of activity over the past six years, despite the thefts allegedly having gone on for longer.
