The assistant fire chief of Tobyhanna Township Fire Bureau has been charged with stealing gas from the township to fill up his personal vehicle.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Detective/Cpl. Robert Miller of the Pocono Mountain Regional Police in the case against Jamal Bayton:

On Dec. 22, Miller was assigned an investigation involving the theft of fuel from the Tobyhanna Township fuel pumps in the recent months.

On Jan. 2, Miller met with Tobyhanna Township Manager Robert Bartal at the township building and was informed that while reviewing surveillance footage of the fuel pumps at the township building. Bayton, 38, of Pocono Lake, was observed filling his personal black pickup with fuel.

Bayton was found on multiple occasions filling his personal truck with fuel that belonged to the township.

Bartal explained this is not allowed, and no permission is given to any of the volunteers to fill their personal vehicles with fuel owned by the township.

During a review of one of the thefts, Bayton is observed removing two 2½ gallon gas cans from the bed of his truck and taking them toward the pump.

Miller was also informed Bayton would have his own personal pin number for the pumps to obtain fuel and would enter fire trucks identification numbers to put fuel in his own personal truck.

Police said Bayton was found to have stolen fuel from the township which he pumped into his own personal vehicle on three separate occasions.

On Jan. 18, Miller was made aware that a fourth incident was found where Bayton had filled his personal truck at the township gas pumps.

Police identified the pin number assigned to Bayton and viewed surveillance footage.

Police obtained a print out of the fire vehicle’s and the codes assigned to each vehicle.

Police said Bayton was using codes assigned to specific fire apparatus in order to obtain fuel for his own personal vehicle.

The total amount Bayton purchased was 87.7 gallons at $2.65 a gallon, which comes out to a total of $232.

Bayton faces charges on five counts each of criminal use of a computer, theft, and receiving stolen property.

Bayton is currently free in lieu of $15,000 unsecured bail, and scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Feb. 6 before District Judge Richard White of Pocono Pines.