Ex-Jersey Parking Inspector Steals $460K In Quarters In 2 Years
Former public works inspector Thomas Rica pocketed more than 1.8 million coins in 25 months.
The Hawthorne resident was sacked from the Village of Ridgewood in January last year after being arrested for taking $500 in coins.
However, a year-long investigation by Bergen County authorities revealed the father-of-three had swiped a much larger chunk of change.
Rica was arrested on Tuesday night and charged with fourth-degree theft and hindering apprehension.
Rica accepted a plea deal in Bergen County Superior Court Wednesday to repay the money to the Village of Ridgewood after pleading guilty to four counts of theft.
D.B. Hirsch is a political activist, news junkie, and retired ad copy writer and spin doctor. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.