A former fire chief who helped embezzle more than $11,000 from Lewisberry's fire company used some of the stolen money to bankroll a Caribbean cruise with his then-girlfriend, police said.

Markwood C. Albright avoided prison when he pleaded guilty Thursday in York County Court to theft and criminal conspiracy to commit theft, according to court records.

Albright, 37, is formerly of Dillsburg and now lives in Belleair, Fla., on the Gulf Coast.

As part of a negotiated plea agreement, he was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay his share of $11,815 in restitution to the fire company.

Ex-girlfriend: His co-defendant, Jennifer Lou Cassada, 38, of Rio Grande, N.J., pleaded guilty April 19 to two counts of theft and access device fraud. She also was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay her share of restitution.

Cassada was Lewisberry Community Fire Co.'s president at the time of the thefts, and Albright was its chief. The

two were romantically involved, police said.

Newberry Township Police said the pair likely embezzled much more money, but investigators could only prove the $11,815 figure.

Cruise: Albright and Cassada used the money, in part, to pay bills and to take a $4,400 Caribbean cruise together, police said.

Lewisberry Community Fire Co. closed its doors and became inactive in November.

Albright's defense attorney, Bill Graff, did not return a phone message seeking comment.

Chief public defender Bruce Blocher, who represented Cassada, previously declined comment.

-- Reach Elizabeth Evans at levans@yorkdispatch.com, 505-5429 or twitter.com/ ydcrimetime.