Erie County Sheriff's Office
Note: Although this web site is fully accessible to all browsers and internet devices, it has been designed to utilize current web standards, and therefore appears quite differently in browsers that do not support current web standards.
For more information on web standards and how to upgrade your browser please visit the Browser Upgrade Campaign at http://www.webstandards.org/upgrade/.
Latest News
News
ELMA MAN ALTERS GAS METER- STEALS MORE THAN SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF NATURAL GAS
July 17, 2009- Town of Elma- Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard in conjunction with National Fuel is announcing the arrest of an Elma man for stealing more than $6,500.00 of natural gas over a 8- 9 year period.
47 year old Stephen Barile Jr., of 1361 Girdle Road, Elma, turned himself into Elma Town Court Thursday evening to answer to grand larceny and misdemeanor charges.
The theft came to light recently after Senior Investigator Christopher Kinsley from National Fuel Security- conducted an extensive months long investigation by personally watching and videotaping Barile alter his gas meter on several occasions- including in the very early morning and then late afternoon hours.
By altering his gas meter in such a fashion, Barile was able to avoid paying the gas company for the fuel he was consuming.
Barile admitted to the theft but disputes the length of time he was stealing from National Fuel. He was released on his own recognizance pending further court action.