Seneca Falls man charged w/ theft from non-profit

Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that on December 31st 2012 Sheriff’s Investigators arrested Richard W. Heichel, age 44, of 17 Clinton Street Seneca Falls, NY Heichel was charged with Grand Larceny in the fourth degree along with fourteen counts of Petit Larceny in the Town of Ovid.It is alleged that Heichel made multiple purchases of goods and services using debit cards linked to the South Seneca Community Volunteer Ambulance Corp. Inc.’s general/primary bank account for his own personal benefit, resulting in the Petit Larceny charges.The Grand Larceny fourth degree charge stems from the alleged theft of money raised during a community fundraiser held by members of the South Seneca Community Volunteer Ambulance Corp. Inc. in October 2012. Heichel was released with appearance tickets and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Ovid Court on January 15th 2013 at 10:00am to answer the charges. Heichel was also charged with one count of Petit Larceny in the Town of Seneca Falls. This charge is the result of an incident where it is alleged Heichel made a cash withdrawal of Ambulance Corp. funds for his personal gain at an ATM machine in the Town of Seneca Falls.He was also released with an appearance ticket on this charge and is expected to appear in the Town of Seneca Falls Court on January 17th 2013 at 10:00am to answer this charge.The arrest in this case follows an investigation which was requested by members of South Seneca Community Volunteer Ambulance Corp Inc. after questions were raised regarding possible unauthorized use of ambulance corp. funds. Heichel was the President of the Corporation during the time the incidents in question occurred. This case is still open and the investigation is continuing.