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State not probing meter coin theft

Ridgewood will handle $850K case.

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. - New Jersey's attorney general has decided not to investigate the theft of $850,000 in parking-meter coins.

Ridgewood's police department will handle the case instead.

Former public works inspector Thomas Rica admitted last year that he stole $460,000 in parking-meter quarters over a three-year period.

An audit later found $850,000 was unaccounted for.

Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld told the Bergen Record that the police department would launch an investigation.

Police will have the support of the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and the Attorney General's Office.

Sonenfeld said the town's insurer would reimburse Ridgewood $764,000 to cover the amount of stolen quarters minus the restitution payments Rica has already made under the terms of his five-year probation.