7 more arrested for Bensalem school thefts; total now 27

BENSALEM, Pa. - August 28, 2013

The latest suspects in this case are:

-Grounds crew members Richard Bolinski, Stephen Leonardo, Paul Krex, and William O'Hara who were arrested for theft of gasoline. Police say it is estimated that more than 13,000 gallons of gasoline were stolen over the last five years, costing the school district approximately $35,000.

-Bus driver Theresa Adams is accused of conspiring with head mechanic Fred Lange, who was previously charged, with allegedly stealing school district automotive parts with about $1,000.

-Bruce Binder, from CCC Heavy Duty Truck Parts in Bensalem, is also accused of conspiring with Lange to ship four 55 gallon drums of anti-freeze at a cost of $1,200 to the school district.

-The head custodian for Struble Elementary, Frances Zemartis, is accused of stealing about $1,000 worth of school district property and personal property of teachers while she was cleaning the school.

Police earlier said the crimes date back more than 10 years and involve more than $1.5 million in school district money.

Two arrests in this case were announced last August. Another 18 arrests were announced in February of this year.

After the February arrests, Bensalem school officials said they were creating new safeguards to prevent such problems in the future.

As for the 20 people previously named as suspects, police said on Wednesday that many of them have since entered negotiated pleas.

Anyone with information regarding past or current corruption/theft within the Bensalem Township School District is asked to call Detective Sergeant Bill McVey (215-633-3758) or Detective Mark Kelly (215-633-3664).

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