Atlantic County Public Works Supervisor and Three Others Arrested for Fuel Theft

Atlantic County, NJ. Joseph Ridley, 47, a supervisor in the county Roads and Bridges department, and three others were arrested after investigators found they used county diesel fuel for a private business. Ridley faces charges including official misconduct, pattern of official misconduct, theft by unlawful taking, and conspiracy to commit theft. He is suspended without pay pending investigation. Zakar Ridley, 26; Jason Meredith, 34; and Corey Smith, 27, were charged with theft by unlawful taking. Investigators discovered Ridley provided a diesel bypass code to employees of his company, Z5 Logistics LLC, an interstate freight carrier based in Mays Landing. The code allowed unauthorized fueling at the county fueling station in Northfield. On May 27, county fleet management authorities observed a box truck being fueled at the station. When approached, the vehicle fled. Detectives later apprehended employees fueling company trucks without authorization. The total amount of fuel stolen remains under investigation. Ridley’s county salary is listed as $48,516.