HOUGHTON COUNTY, MI – A former public works employee has been charged with stealing gasoline from the city of Lake Linden for over a decade, highlighting a serious gap in access control that cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars.
Ronald Schmitt, 71, of Lake Linden, was arraigned this week on charges of larceny greater than $1,000 but less than $20,000, unauthorized use of a financial transaction device, and using a computer to commit a crime. The Michigan State Police in Calumet launched an investigation in November 2024 after receiving reports of suspicious fuel usage linked to the Department of Public Works (DPW).
Authorities say Schmitt, a former DPW employee, had unlawfully taken fuel meant for city vehicles for personal use—and he had been doing so for 12 years. Schmitt allegedly continued using a key fob assigned for fueling municipal vehicles long after he retired in 2012, allowing him to take more than $28,000 worth of gasoline at the city’s expense.
Investigators caught Schmitt in the act when he attempted to fuel his personal truck with the stolen key fob. However, due to statute of limitations restrictions, the charges against him only reflect fuel theft from the past six years, despite indications that the activity had been ongoing for much longer.
Schmitt was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.
Schmitt’s ability to continue stealing fuel for 12 years exposes a significant security flaw: a lack of proper credential management. His unauthorized retention of a key fob meant for official use could have been easily prevented with managed access control solutions – the kind offered by Amphion to businesses and municipalities looking to secure their assets.
🔹 Automated Credential Revocation – Access devices like key fobs and fuel cards should be deactivated immediately after an employee leaves or retires. A managed system would have prevented Schmitt’s continued access.
🔹 Real-Time Monitoring & Alerts – Advanced access control solutions can track fuel usage in real time, flagging any unusual transactions—such as a retired employee suddenly fueling a personal vehicle.
🔹 Restricted Keying Systems – Instead of static access credentials that remain unchanged for years, a dynamic keying system ensures that only current employees have authorization, reducing the risk of insider theft.
Had proactive security measures been in place, this case wouldn’t have stretched on for 12 years and cost tens of thousands of dollars. With the right access controls, organizations can stop theft before it happens, rather than discovering it over a decade later.
For municipalities, businesses, and organizations that rely on access-controlled resources, Amphion’s integrated lock & key solutions provide the security, accountability, and oversight needed to prevent insider threats like this. Learn more HERE!
Don’t leave security to chance – protect your assets before vulnerabilities become expensive mistakes.