Former Treasurer Accused Of Stealing $100K From Point Pleasant Beach Fire Company

POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NJ — The former treasurer of Point Pleasant Beach Fire Company 2 has been charged with theft, accused of taking about $100,000 from the fire company for his own expenses, authorities said Thursday.

Salvatore Umek, 45, of Point Pleasant Beach, was charged Wednesday with theft, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Point Pleasant Beach Police Chief Robert Kowalewski said in a joint announcement.

An investigation by the Economic Crime Squad of the prosecutor's office and Point Pleasant Beach police determined that between February 2019 and November 2021, Umek used his access as the treasurer to transfer money from the fire company's bank account to pay off his personal credit card debt, and transferred money directly into his own account, authorities said.

Umek surrendered himself to Point Pleasant Beach Police headquarters on Wednesday and was processed and served with the charge via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court, the prosecutor's office said.