MIAMI COUNTY, IN- This from fox59.com: The former chief of a volunteer fire department in Miami County now faces felony charges over allegations that he stole over $58,000 from department funding.
Jon Allen, 38, of Peru, was charged last week in Miami County court with felony theft and corrupt business influence. Allen served as chief of the Pipe Creek Township Fire Department until going on medical leave in May 2024 and eventually being terminated in July 2024.
Court records filed last Tuesday detail how, while serving as chief, Allen allegedly stole over $58,000 from the department. This includes stealing from Pipe Creek Fire’s bank accounts, tax returns, credit card balances and store reimbursements.
The alleged thefts occurred between July 2023 and March 2024, although police were not made aware of the issues until October 2024, when Allen was no longer chief. Court documents claim subpoenas and bank records verify the former chief stole approximately $58,933 over nine months.
Investigators say that Allen used the stolen money to make payments on his credit card, which was used to make extravagant purchases such as:
- Plane tickets
- Restaurants
- Hotels and resorts
- AirBnB rentals
- Racetracks and casinos
- Car rental companies and Uber
Allen’s travel log during this time period included trips to Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas and two trips to Tennessee.
As of Tuesday, June 30, Allen has not been arrested or booked into jail. However, online court records show he faces two felonies in Miami Superior Court 2.
FOX59/CBS4 has reached out to the Pipe Creek Township Fire Chief, who said his department is working on a statement regarding the charges. Fire officials confirmed that Allen had been on medical leave since May 2024 and was fired in July 2024.
