Freetown town worker charged with selling town-owned military Humvee vehicles

According to Police Chief Carlton Abbott, Jr. Freetown police filed criminal charges against 54 year old Freetown Highway Surveyor Charles J. Macomber, alleging that he sold two town-owned military Humvee vehicles to a local man in return for cash. Police allege that Macomber also offered to sell two additional town-owned vehicles to the same buyer. Police allege that Macomber instructed the buyer to remove the Humvees after the close of the Freetown Highway Department’s business hours. Police allege that Macomber had no legal authority to sell any town-owned vehicles.

According to police, all of the vehicles were stored on the grounds at the highway department.

On April 18, 2019, police became aware that the two military Humvees had been stolen. Detective Shane Kelley investigated the theft and, in addition to discovering Macomber’s involvement, discovered that Wayne S. Morse, age 28, of Freetown Street Lakeville, was also involved. Police allege that Morse assisted the buyer in removing the two Humvees from the highway department, and subsequently sold one of the Humvees for $8,000. Police allege that Morse misled Detective Kelley during the investigation and that he concealed one of the stolen Humvees. Detective Kelley recovered one of the Humvees at a business located in Raynham.

The police department had acquired the surplus Humvees from the Federal government to be used in the event that one of the Humvees currently being operated by the department required parts or needed to be replaced.

Macomber was charged with the following crimes:

Larceny of a Motor Vehicle (2 counts)
Larceny Over $1,200 (2 counts)
Embezzlement by a Public Officer

Morse was charged with the following crimes:
Concealing a Stolen Vehicle
Misleading a Police Investigation