MILLCREEK, PA. Fined $1,000, ex-cop to pay for stolen gas

MILLCREEK, Pa. (AP) -- A former police officer avoided jail time but will have to pay a $1,000 fine and reimburse a northwestern Pennsylvania town for the gasoline he stole from his patrol car.
James Armour, 55, a 27-year veteran of the Millcreek Police in Erie County, pleaded guilty Tuesday to theft charges for siphoning gas from his patrol car last month.
He faced as many as two years in jail, but a judge imposed the fine and ordered him to pay Millcreek $22.50 for the 15 gallons of gas he took.
Armour, who was fired March 25 after officials refused to accept his resignation, wanted to put the thefts behind him, said his attorney Phil Friedman.
Police suspected Armour of siphoning gas and set up surveillance March 17. Officers watched him siphon gas from his patrol car into two gas cans, according to police.