Atlantic County, New Jersey — DPW Supervisor Accused of Stealing Diesel for His Private Trucking Business

A supervisor with the Atlantic County Department of Public Works has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged scheme to steal county fuel for use in his personal trucking company.

Joseph L. Ridley, 47, of Mays Landing, was charged on Monday, June 2, 2025, with official misconduct, pattern of official misconduct, theft by unlawful taking, and conspiracy to commit theft, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.

Ridley, who served as a supervisor in the Roads and Bridges Division, is accused of giving out a bypass code for a county-owned fueling station in Northfield. Investigators say the code allowed employees of his private business, Z5 Logistics LLC, to illegally fill their trucks with county-paid diesel fuel.

The investigation began on May 27, when fleet management personnel noticed a box truck refueling at the Northfield site under suspicious circumstances. The operators reportedly fled when questioned. Detectives launched surveillance and caught Z5 Logistics employees refueling again on June 2, leading to their arrests at the scene. Ridley was taken into custody shortly after.

Three additional individuals were charged with disorderly persons theft in connection with the scheme:

• Zakar Ridley, 26, of Mays Landing

• Jason Meredith, 34, of Absecon

• Corey Smith, 27, of Pleasantville

The case is being handled by the Professional Standards and Accountability Unit of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office. The total amount of diesel fuel stolen is still being calculated.