Handcuffs — bigstock stock photo - handcuffs

Leipsic, DE — A Dover man has been charged after allegedly using a volunteer fire company’s credit card to rack up more than $3,600 in unauthorized charges, Delaware State Police announced Monday.

Troopers responded to Little Creek Volunteer Fire Company on April 19 after officials discovered a series of suspicious transactions on a department-issued credit card. The card had reportedly been accessed and used for personal expenses by a member of the organization.

Investigators identified the suspect as 30-year-old Raheim Clifton of Dover, who was affiliated with the fire company at the time of the alleged theft. A warrant was obtained following the investigation.

Key points:

Raheim Clifton, 30, charged with felony theft and unlawful use of a credit card
Over $3,600 in unauthorized purchases made on fire company’s card
Clifton turned himself in at Troop 3 and was released on his own recognizance

Troopers say suspect used fire company funds for personal expenses

Clifton reportedly used the Little Creek Volunteer Fire Company credit card without authorization. Details of the specific purchases have not been disclosed, but officials confirmed the total exceeded $3,600.

The investigation led to felony charges for theft and unlawful use of a payment card. Clifton turned himself in at Delaware State Police Troop 3 on April 27, where he was formally charged and arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7.

Suspect released pending further court proceedings

Following arraignment, Clifton was released on his own recognizance. The case remains under review and additional proceedings are expected.

Delaware State Police have not commented on whether Clifton remains affiliated with the fire company.

A Dover man was charged with felony theft after allegedly using a fire department’s credit card for personal purchases totaling more than $3,600.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.