McHenry Co. secretary accused of stealing furnaces

A secretary at a Lake in the Hills heating and air conditioning business was arrested this week after an investigation into claims she stole about $20,000 in equipment from the company.

Tammy L. Clausen, 37, of the 8700 block of Shade Tree Circle in Lakewood, faces a felony charge of theft claiming that over the past 12 to 18 months she stole furnaces, filters, sensors and other items linked to her employer, Aero Forze Heating & Cooling.

Lake in the Hills Deputy Police Chief Mary Frake said it appears Clausen ordered the items from suppliers on the company account but did not use them for company purposes. Investigators are still determining what happened with the equipment from there, she said.

Clausen was arrested at her home Monday and taken to the McHenry County jail, where she remained until posting a $3,000 bond Wednesday. She is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 8 on the charge, a Class 2 felony punishable by three to seven years in prison or probation.

Lake in the Hills police are asking for anyone with information regarding Clausen and the type of equipment she stands accused of stealing to call them at (847) 658-5676.

"In these difficult times, small businesses are really struggling," Frake said. "That's why we're looking into this as diligently as we can and seeking the public's help."