Freetown Official Facing Embezzlement, Larceny Charges

Update Feb. 18, 2022: Charles Macomber has been acquitted on all charges.

FREETOWN — Freetown police have filed criminal charges against 54-year-old Charles Macomber, alleging that he sold two town-owned military Humvee vehicles to a local man in return for cash.

The Freetown Highway Surveyor is also alleged to have offered to sell two additional town-owned vehicles to the same buyer and instructed the buyer to remove the Humvees after the close of the Freetown Highway Department’s business hours.

Police say 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, authorities became aware that two military Humvees had been stolen. Detective Shane Kelley investigated the theft and, in addition to discovering Macomber’s involvement, discovered that 28-year-old Wayne Morse, of Freetown Street in Lakeville, was also involved.

It’s alleged that Morris assisted the buyer in removing the two Humvees from the highway department, and subsequently sold one of the Humvees for $8,000. Morse then apparently misled Detective Kelley during the investigation, concealing one of the stolen Humvees.

One of the Humvees was recovered by Detective Kelley 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 operated by the department required parts or needed to be replaced.

Macomber was charged with two counts of larceny of a motor vehicle, two counts of larceny over $1,200, and two counts of embezzlement by a public officer. Morse was charged with concealing a stolen vehicle and misleading a police investigation.