MAPLE SHADE — A township's longtime fire chief stole at least $1,000 from the department, police told CourierPostOnline.com.

Elwood Severns Jr., 49, was charged with theft Dec. 17, shortly after departing as the head of Maple Shade's all-volunteer fire department. Police announced the charges Sunday.

In July, Severns was arrested for allegedly assaulting a utility worker who came to his house to disconnect service for non-payment of a bill, according to SouthJerseyLocalNews.com. Severns punched the man in the chest twice, the report said.

Days later, a former deputy fire chief was accused of using a department credit card to run up $1,700 in personal expenses, the report said. Ryan M. Callahan, 29, quit the department in May.

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