LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former Southern California fire battalion chief is going to prison for stealing more than $300,000 of equipment and setting a fire to cover up the theft.
Prosecutors say Marcel Melanson was sentenced Monday to three years and four months in prison. He also must pay more than a half-million dollars in fines and restitution.
READ MORE: 2 Long Beach Grocery Stores Shutting Down Saturday Over Hero Pay LawAuthorities say Melanson stole nearly 100 city-owned radios and sold some on eBay while he was a battalion chief in the city of Compton.
READ MORE: Armed Suspect Caught On Camera Robbing Group Of People In A West Hollywood AlleyHe also was charged with setting fire to some equipment in 2011 in a failed attempt to hide the theft.
He pleaded no contest in April to arson and embezzlement.
MORE NEWS: Motive Unknown After 8 Killed At Indianapolis FedEx Facility(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
