Ambulance Squad Officials Accused Of Stealing More Than $130,000

Two leaders at the defunct Morrisville Ambulance Squad have been accused of taking more than $132,000 through theft and insurance fraud.

Former squad Chief Brian Eckert, 41, of Middletown, and Operations Supervisor Ruth Roxy Rookstool, 58, of Morrisville, were implicated in the alleged misuse of resources from the cash-strapped ambulance squad. Bucks County Detectives wrote in court papers that Rookstool was directly responsible for $101.634.55 being taken and Eckert was responsible for $30,785.44.

The Morrisville Ambulance Squad shuttered recently after years of financial issues and was replaced by a service contracted through Capital Health System in the past weeks. The Morrisville Ambulance Squad served all of the borough and roughly 12 percent of 34,000-resident Falls Township, including a number of large industrial sites.

Detectives began an investigation into allegations there may have been theft by members of the ambulance squad in July. Search warrants were served and records and computer equipment were seized.

In court documents it is alleged that Eckert used ambulance squad funds to pay his credit cards, debts, treatment of an animal at a veterinary hospital, and an Amazon Prime membership.

Rookstool, according to authorities, wrote herself checks, made false reimbursements for reported ambulance squad expenses, and was added on the organization’s medical insurance during times when she was “ineligible.”

Echert and Rookstool also agreed to purchase a honeymoon for a member and pay with money from the ambulance squad, detectives said.

Among the purchases county investigators found, Eckert bought a dishwasher using the Morrisville Ambulance Squad’s Home Depot credit account. The dishwasher was installed at Rookstool’s home was reportedly part of what Eckert claimed was reimbursement for expenses.

During interviews, the two ambulance squad officials gave conflicting accounts and made contradictions, detectives said.

The ambulance squad received money from both Morrisville and Falls Township. It also received donations and payments for services provided by the public.

Eckert was arraigned by District Judge John J. Durkin on Thursday on charges of intent to defraud an insurance company, conspiracy, theft, receiving stolen property, forgery, identity theft, and related offenses. He was released on $30,000 unsecured bail.

Rookstool faces charges of intent to defraud an insurance company, conspiracy, theft, receiving stolen property, and theft by deception. The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office said she is expected to surrender to authorities next Tuesday.

Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.