Ridgewood Teacher Accused of Shoplifting Not Facing Suspension

A Ridgewood middle school teacher accused of stealing $82 worth of grocery items will not be suspended while awaiting his day in court, according to the school district.

Adolfo Noya, 47 of Wyckoff, entered the Godwin Avenue Whole Foods on Oct. 25, where a security guard observed him load 15 items into a canvas tote bag before exiting without paying, police said Monday.

Store employees stopped Noya in the parking lot at around 5 p.m. where police arrived and arrested the 7th grade George Washington Middle School teacher on charges of shoplifting.

The total value of the alleged theft – including the $7 tote bag – is $82.30, Ridgewood Police Cpt. Jacqueline Luthcke told Patch Monday afternoon. It mostly contained food items, she added.

Noya, who has taught Spanish in Ridgewood since 2000, will not be suspended before his court date, Ridgewood superintendent Daniel Fishbein said in a written statement.

Fishbein said he could not speak on the specific case due to personnel matters being confidential, but said the district will wait for the legal process to run its course.

"Allegations or accusations made against any person are not the same as findings of guilt," Fishbein said, speaking generally about the process. "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.”

Noya also could not be reached for comment Monday. School records show the native of Spain is scheduled to make a salary of $87,435 in the current school year.

The teacher's court date was rescheduled from Nov. 15 to Jan. 3.