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ANew Haven, Conn., firefighter who allegedly stole a DeWalt drill, two DeWalt batteries, a cabinet and an expensive flashlight from Lowe’s has asked a Superior Court judge to grant a special form of probation that will clear his criminal record, the New Haven Register reported.

Matthew LaVecchia, age 25, was arrested on May 28 as part of an investigation into Dustin Pepe, a former cashier at a Lowe’s store in Milford, Conn. Pepe, age 30, has been accused of accepting cash payoffs from customers in exchange for not scanning their merchandise or simply pocketing the cash of unwitting customers. The total amount of goods stolen in the scam, according to police, is more than $2,000.

Areview of surveillance tapes and statements made by Pepe implicate LaVecchia as one of several people Pepe allowed to walk off without paying, according to the newspaper report.

LaVecchia allegedly admitted that he gave Pepe $40 in cash after Pepe scanned a 98-cent Sharpie pen instead of a DeWalt drill and oak cabinet, whose retail value was $257. Pepe put the cash in his apron, investigators said.

An hour later, according to court records, LaVecchia returned to the store and passed through Pepe's checkout line with a pack of two DeWalt batteries for the drill, which cost $119, and a Surefire Tactical flashlight worth $84. Once again, Pepe rang up a Sharpie pen.

LaVecchia, whose father is chief of the New Haven Fire Department, has been charged with fourth-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit that crime, both misdemeanors. A three-year veteran of the department, LaVecchia remains on active duty until the criminal case is resolved. An internal investigation is pending, according to the fire department.

On June 23, LaVecchia applied for an accelerated rehabilitation program offered for people charged with minor crimes. Upon completion of the program, the individual’s record is cleared. A judge will rule on the request on July 27.