A former employee of the Rugby MVP/Tesoro has been charged with forgery and conspiracy to commit theft by attempting to forge the signature of Rugby Police Chief John Rose after charging gas and other items to a police department kickback account.

Alexander Hand is facing two Class C felonies and three accomplices, Lauren Timblin, Derek Edgerly and Paul Dobson, have been charged with felony theft after the attempted fraud was uncovered by the store manager and authorities.

Another local man, Ron Jordan, was targeted in the alleged scam, which attempted to take advantage of a cashback program at the store.

According to a Rugby police report, on the morning of May 19, Hand arrived at Tesoro around 4:30 a.m., two hours before he was scheduled to open the store.

Police said surveillance video showed Timblin filled the car they arrived in with gas, totaling more than 14 gallons at a cost of $69.73.

Hand allegedly ran it through the police department’s account and signed the transaction “John Ross,” instead of John Rose.

After Hand paid for the gas with the kickback program, Timblin, Edgerly and Dobson are seen entering the store on the video, police said.

The police report said later in the morning, another transaction for $50 in gas, a Sprite and air freshener was charged to the police department with Hand providing a forged signature. Later, Jordan’s kickback account was charged for more gas, and police allege that members of the group also stole Sea Foam motor treatment, washer fluid and flashlights.

Hand is facing both Class C felony and Class A misdemeanor forgery counts and a Class C felony for conspiracy to commit theft. Class C felonies are punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Timblin, Dobson and Edgerly each face a Class C felony burglary and Class B misdemeanor theft.