by Laura Freeman

Reporter

Hudson -- Police have charged an executive assistant in the fire department with stealing $192 from the city.

Police say Hudson resident Ellen Heindel, 54, allegedly stole $192 from a city cash box. Police arrested her April 11 and charged her with theft in office and tampering with records.

Heindel and her attorney would not comment on the case.

The money, allegedly taken between Feb. 15 and March 28, was payments from residents who purchased $32 emergency warning radios, which the fire department is selling for emergency notification of weather-related situations.

City Manager Anthony Bales said Heindel and others were responsible for the sale of emergency weather radios and the cash box.

The city began investigating the matter after a March 18 audit of the fire department revealed missing cash.

In a police report filed March 28, Bales reported $192 in cash missing from the city's cash box.

Heindel's personal check for $192 and receipts from Feb. 8 for emergency weather radio sales of $192 was found in the cash box, according to the police report.

Bales would not comment on the check or why it was there.

Communications Manager Jody Roberts said after an initial investigation, city officials met with Heindel March 28 and asked about the missing cash.

Bales said he was not present during the interview between Fire Chief Robert Carter, Finance Director Jeff Knoblauch and Heindel. The police investigation began the same day.

After a pre-disciplinary hearing March 31, Bales said Heindel was placed on administrative leave without pay. The city is conducting an ongoing investigation to determine whether further disciplinary action is needed, separate from any criminal investigation.

Assistant City Manager Paula Ryan said Heindel has been an employee since March 17, 2004, and earns $22.01 per hour.

Heindel appeared in Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Court April 14 before Judge Lisa Coates and was charged with tampering with records, a third degree felony, and theft in office, a fifth degree felony.

Heindel did not enter a plea and was released on a $5,000 signature bond. She is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 11 a.m. April 22.

E-mail: lfreeman@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3150