A Buffalo Township man is accused of skimming $26,112 worth of diesel fuel from his employer.

Scot A. Zarnick, 36, of 249 Howes Run Road is charged with theft by unlawful taking.

According to records in Allegheny County, Zarnick was a fuel truck driver for Glassmere Fuel on Saxonburg Blvd. in West Deer Township, Allegheny County, since at least January 2004.

The court records say the fuel company's owner, Dell Cromie, became suspicious of Zarnick when he was told Zarnick was making fuel deliveries to a salvage company that did not have a contract with his business.

Cromie, according to records, began documenting the amount of fuel put in Zarnick's truck versus the amount that was rightfully delivered to customers. Zarnick's truck came up short, according to the police records.

Police then interviewed a man who once worked for the salvage company.

According to court documents, that man told police Zarnick had delivered fuel to the salvage company 15 to 20 times over the years. Zarnick allegedly always accepted cash payments for the fuel.

Police estimated the total amount of fuel sold to the salvage company over the years, at a rate of $2.56 per gallon, to arrive at the $26,112 loss figure.

Zarnick could not be reached for comment.