A former volunteer firefighter in Ambridge is facing forgery and fraud charges after officials there discovered that nearly $5,000 in unauthorized checks had been written.

The suspect, who has not been identified, is accused of taking $4,975.

Police Chief David Sabol said the suspect was authorized in October to purchase pagers and boots, but when the items hadn't shown up by last month, police were alerted and confronted the suspect.

Sabol said the money has been repaid. Police intend to file charges in the next day or so, he said.