Baker refuses request

Village officials in Centreville agreed this week to dismiss Department of Public Works director Randy Baker following an investigation related to gasoline allegedly taken from the pump designated for municipal vehicles.

The vote was made after Baker refused to act on the village’s request last week that he step down from the post.

Baker, a Colon resident, is suspected of allegedly fueling his personal vehicle from the municipal tank on at least two occasions last year. The matter is under investigation by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, which may uncover additional cases of fuel theft, sheriff officials said.

Additional developments may come out of the village council’s next regularly scheduled meeting Monday next week.