A New Jersey man and his trucking company employees were arrested this week on multiple charges related to the theft of diesel fuel from Atlantic County.

On June 2, 2025, Joseph L. Ridley, 47, was arrested and charged with Second-Degree Official Misconduct, Second-Degree Pattern of Official Misconduct, Third-Degree Theft by Unlawfully Taking, and Third-Degree Conspiracy to Commit Theft, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office (ACPO).

Ridley is employed as a supervisor in the Roads and Bridges Department within the Atlantic County Department of Public Works and also owns trucking company Z5 Logistics LLC.

Officials say that on May 27, 2025, Atlantic County Fleet Management authorities spotted a large box truck fueling at the county-owned fueling station in Northfield, New Jersey. When staff approached, the box truck was driven away.

The incident resulted in the launch of an investigation.

“It was uncovered that Ridley provided this code to employees of his business: Z5 Logistics LLC,” ACPO said. “On June 2, 2025, detectives from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office apprehended employees of Z5 Logistics LLC as they were fueling the business trucks at the Atlantic County fuel site without authorization. Investigation led to the arrest of the employees as well as Ridley.”

See below for charges against employees.

• Zakar Ridley, 26, Mays Landing, NJ – Disorderly Persons Theft by Unlawful Taking
• Jason Meredith, 34, Absecon, NJ – Disorderly Persons Theft by Unlawful Taking
• Corey Smith, 27, Pleasantville, NJ – Disorderly Persons Theft by Unlawful Taking

The incident remains under investigation.