Cathlamet couple charged with gas theft

A Cathlamet couple has been charged with using a Cathlamet Fire Department credit card to buy gasoline for their personal vehicle.

The man and woman have been summoned to appear in court for arraignment on October 25. The man, a fire department member who has been on leave for about three years because of illness, has been charged with one count of theft in the second degree, and his wife has been charged with two counts.

Law enforcement officers said First Aid Division Captain Beau Renfro learned one department credit card had been missing from an ambulance for some time. Using gas purchase dates, department officers were able to identify people using the cards on gas station surveillance video. The purchases totaled $238.17.

“This case represents a betrayal of public trust, but also failure on the part of Fire Department commanders and our town’s elected leaders, and I include myself here, to properly oversee the financial management of the department,” said Cathlamet Mayor George Wehrfritz in a statement issued Friday. “A comprehensive overhaul is called for, and we will begin without delay.”