Crime & Safety

Ridgewood Teacher Pleads Guilty to Disorderly Conduct Charge

Adolfo Noya, a 7th grade Spanish teacher, was accused of shoplifting at Whole Foods in October.

A Ridgewood middle school teacher pleaded guilty Thursday in connection with an incident in which he was arrested for shoplifting $75 worth of groceries at Whole Foods last fall.

Appearing before Judge David Pfund on Thursday, Adolfo Noya, 47 of Wyckoff, waived his right to trial on the charge of disorderly conduct and entered a guilty plea. As part of the plea agreement with the prosecutor, the shoplifting charge was dropped.

Police said Noya placed $75 worth of groceries in a $7 tote bag at Whole Foods on Oct. 25 and left without paying. Authorities said he was stopped in the parking lot by store security staff and subsequently arrested.

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Noya, a 7th grade Spanish teacher at George Washington Middle School, was sentenced to 30 days of community service and must pay a $1,000 fine. He declined to comment following his court appearance.

Through his attorney, Harold Springstead, Noya said he had "conducted himself in a disruptive manner" at Whole Foods but added little else.

Find out what's happening in Ridgewood-Glen Rockwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Superintendent Daniel Fishbein said in November that no action had been taken against Noya's employment, as he had not been convicted.

The teacher's employment status could potentially change given the guilty plea on Thursday.

"When and if guilt is determined or someone’s presence is a detraction to the educational process and action is necessary, please be assured all necessary statutes and codes will be followed,” Fishbein previously said.

Fishbein did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday night.

Noya has worked in Ridgewood Public Schools since 2000 and is scheduled to make $87,000 this year.


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