Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Chief James Parker of the South Plainfield Police Department said today that a bookkeeper for a borough company has been arrested and charged with stealing approximately $700,000 from the firm.
Robert Keith, 46, of West Orange was charged with credit card theft, money laundering, forgery, theft by unlawful taking, and unlawful use of a credit card.
He was arrested on Mar. 25, during an investigation by Detective Joseph Glowacki of the South Plainfield Police Department and Detective Jonathan Berman of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
During the investigation, it was determined that the defendant, while working as the bookkeeper at Rup-Coe Plumbing and Heating, stole from the company by forging checks and utilize company credit cards for personal gain in various amounts between February 1, 2015, and February 7, 2017.
The investigation began after company officials discovered the thefts and contacted police.
Keith also served as a minister at a house of worship. It has been determined during the investigation that he sought to add legitimacy to his bookkeeping services by describing himself as a religious leader. Keith is not a licensed certified public accountant.
The investigation is active and is continuing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Glowacki of the South Plainfield Police Department at (908) 755-0700, or Detective Berman of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-4328.