Franklin County Cop Arrested for Theft

Police officer arrested for stealing more than $22,000 from Borough of Waynesboro

Attorney General News Release

HARRISBURG – A Waynesboro police officer was arrested yesterday following allegations that he stole more than $22,000 in workers compensation benefit checks, which he was legally required to sign over to the Borough of Waynesboro.

Attorney General Tom Corbett identified the defendant as Derek Matthew Lange, 31, 7626 Anthony Highway, Waynesboro, Franklin County.

According to the criminal complaint, Lange was injured while working in August 2009 and began receiving workers compensation benefits.

Corbett said that Lange was entitled to continue receiving his regular salary from the Borough of Waynesboro provided that he sign over any workers compensation checks that he received to the Borough.

The charges state that Lange received 18 checks between Sept. 7, 2009 and May 3, 2010. Lange allegedly signed three checks over to the Borough and deposited the remaining 15 workers compensation checks into his personal bank account.

Lange is charged with one count of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received.

He was preliminarily arraigned yesterday by Chambersburg Magisterial District Judge Kelly Rock and released on $15,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 21, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.

The case will be prosecuted in Franklin County by Deputy Attorney General John Dickinson of the Attorney General’s Insurance Fraud Section.