Supervisor of Montco township arrested

The supervisor of a Montgomery County township has been arrested for allegedly stealing municipal property.

Douglass Township Supervisor Frederick Ziegler, 61, was taken into custody Tuesday, according to a news release from the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office.

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman referred the case to the state Attorney General in June due to a conflict of interest, the release states.

An investigation revealed that Ziegler allegedly instructed the township highway supervisor to buy a new chainsaw and deliver it to Ziegler's home for his personal use.

Ziegler is also accused of misusing a township gas credit card and buying a propane tank and plywood for himself through the township municipal account.

Ziegler approved monthly bills for the township that included the items he allegedly stole, prosecutors said.

He is charged with seven counts each of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, along with four counts each of conflict of interest and accepting improper influence.

Ziegler was released Tuesday on $5,000 bail and is next due in court Sept. 12 for a preliminary hearing.