By Andrea VanValkenburg
The Press-Republican
TICONDEROGA, N.Y. — Area residents were surprised to see a volunteer firefighter being escorted by police from the fire station earlier this week.
William Pullar was selling bingo cards during the weekly event at the Ticonderoga Fire Department Thursday evening, when an undercover officer took him into custody following a lengthy grand-larceny investigation.
Earlier this year, fire officials contacted Ticonderoga Town Police after noticing an apparent theft of money from the bingo events, which helps support the department’s activities.
While investigating the complaint, police soon keyed in on Pullar as the suspected thief and allegedly caught him stealing money during an undercover operation.
The 28-year-old Ticonderoga resident often helped with the event and sold the bingo cards.
Police believe he’d been pocketing money from the sales for several months.
Police are still trying to determine how much money was allegedly taken and how long the reported thefts had been occurring.
Pullar was arrested without incident and charged with a single felony count of fourth-degree grand larceny, which accuses him of taking at least $1,000.
He was later released from custody and is scheduled to appear in Ticonderoga Town Court Aug. 26 to face the allegations.
Pullar, who often helped with the bingo event, could not be reached for comment Friday morning.
First Assistant Fire Chief Matt Watts said Pullar is a five-year volunteer and has since been suspended pending the outcome of the criminal case.
He said the bingo revenue, which usually draws a crowd of 150 people, helps funds the department’s fire-prevention program for area children and toward purchasing much-needed equipment.
Watts said Pullar’s arrest brought members a mix of emotions.
“It’s hard to get volunteers these days and to lose somebody has an impact on the department but at the same time we can’t tolerate this happening.”
Copyright 2009