Heroin addict stole $30G of checks after moving in, Rochelle Park police charge

ANOTHER CVP SCOOP: A heroin addict taken in by his boss rewarded him by stealing, forging and cashing more than $30,000 worth of his checks to feed his habit, Rochelle Park police said.

Photo Credit: *Courtesy ROCHELLE PARK PD*

Jerry DeMarco

02/05/2015 4:38 p.m.

Nicholas Barra, 44, remained held on $45,000 bail in the Bergen County Jail following his arrest by Rochelle Park detectives yesterday on theft and forgery charges.

The victim, a handyman who’d taken in Barra “as a measure of goodwill,” contacted investigators in early December, “believing he was a victim of theft and fraud,” Police Chief Robert Flannelly told CLIFFVIEW PILOT this morning.

Detectives reviewed a series of transactions and bank surveillance video, zeroing in on Barra, who’d lived with his employer about nine months, the chief said.

Their investigation was continuing, he said.

“This is another example of excellent police work by my officers,” Flannelly said.

MUGSHOT: Courtesy ROCHELLE PARK PD

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