On Tuesday, March 6, 2012, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Detectives arrested a Columbia County Fire Department Volunteer.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Columbia County Fire Dept on March 2, 2012 in reference to suspicious charges on a fuel card issued to a Fire Dept vehicle. Detectives and Fire Dept personnel were able to determine that the card was missing from the fire vehicle and that numerous charges for fuel had been made on the card. Detectives viewed video surveillance from the stores that the card was last used. Detectives and Fire Dept supervisors quickly determined that the person using the card, off duty, was volunteer firefighter Austin C. Kazmierski.
There were a total of 181 fraudulent transactions on the misappropriated fuel card with over $7,500.00 in charges for fuel. Detectives allege that Austin Kazmierski was using the card to not only put fuel in his personal vehicle but also letting his friend’s fuel their cars as well.
Austin C. Kazmierski was arrested at the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office on March 6, 2012. He was transported to and booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility without incident. Additional charges are possible as the accounting process continues and interviews with additional suspects who may have received fuel are completed.
Arrested:
Austin Chad Kazmierski, 11/16/1992
2484 S.W. Mauldin Rd., Lake City, FL
Charges: Grand Theft, Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card
Bond: $21,000.00
