Former treasurer charged with theft from fire organization

BARSTOW • A former Barstow Fire Protection District employee accused of embezzling money from a non-profit organization was arrested on Monday.

Douglas Bell, 42, is being charged with embezzlement and grand theft in connection with the disappearance of more than $11,000 from the San Bernardino County Fire Prevention Officer’s Association. The association is a non-profit organization that provides fire prevention education to cities in San Bernardino County.

The association reported the missing money to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department station in Rancho Cucamonga, according to city spokesman John Rader. The sheriff’s investigation revealed that the embezzlement was taking place in Barstow, and the case was turned over to the police department.

Rader said the police investigated the embezzlement for seven months before collecting enough evidence to make an arrest.

Bell served as the treasurer for the association, according to a Barstow Police Department report. He was also a fire prevention specialist for the Barstow Fire Department from April 6, 2006, to April 20, 2008, when he resigned.

Bell was booked into the West Valley Detention Center on Monday, according to the report. However, he was released on a $50,000 bail bond Tuesday, according to the sheriff’s department.

Investigation is continuing and anyone with information is asked to call Detective Corporal Daniel Arthur at the Barstow Police Department at (760) 256-2211. People with information and desiring to remain anonymous can call WE-TIP at 1-800-782-7463 or can visit the WE-TIP website at www.wetip.com.

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4126 or dheldreth@desertdispatch.com