An Ansonia public works employee has been charged in connection to a theft of a city-owned plow.
James Hooker, 49, was charged Wednesday with sixth-degree larceny.
He allegedly took a snowplow — the plow attachment, not a vehicle — and sold it for scrap metal.
Ansonia police issued a three-paragraph press release announcing the arrest Thursday saying the case is now closed.
The press release said police submitted a warrant in the case to a judge at Superior Court in Derby March 26. The warrant was returned Wednesday, after which Hooker was arrested.
Hooker was suspended April 3 for 30 days without pay as a result of the incident.
The plow was reported missing March 16.
State law defines sixth-degree larceny as stealing property valued at $500 or less. It is a class ‘C’ misdemeanor.
Police determined the value of the plow based on information provided by the Department of Public Works.
It was between $5,000 to $6,000 brand new, but was old and was worth less than $500 when it was stolen, the DPW told police.
Hooker was charged at 3:30 p.m. April 4. He was released on a promise to appear in court April 18.
