Former fire chief accused of stealing funds

PRESCOTT, Ariz. (AP/KSAZ) -- Authorities have arrested the former chief of the Crown King Fire District for the alleged theft of public funds.

Pinal County Sheriff's officials say 50-year-old Mark Dillon is jailed on a $25,000 bond on suspicion of theft, fraudulent use of a credit card. In addition, officials with the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office say Dillon is under investigation for alleged forgery.

Dillon was fire chief of the district from August 2016 to June of 2017. According to YCSO officials, its detectives were initially notified of the theft by fire district personnel, following Dillon's sudden departure.

The district is a legal taxing authority established as a special district within Yavapai County.

Authorities say Dillon had access to a credit card for incidental department-only related expenses.

He allegedly used the card without authorization for the purchase of more than $4,000 in personal goods and services during multiple transactions over a five-month span.

Dillon was arrested last week at his Coolidge home.

It's unclear if he has a lawyer.

The Associated Press (AP) contributed to this report.