Auto Body Shop Owner From Howell Stole Insurance Checks, Didn't Make Repairs, Prosecutor Says

HOWELL, NJ — A Howell Township man has been charged with stealing thousands from insurance companies by taking checks from them for repairs and never fixing the vehicles, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said.

Barry Barbella, 67, is charged with third-degree forgery, third-degree theft, and third-degree uttering a forged instrument, Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said.

Authorities say he stole more than $42,000 from insurance companies through Franklin Auto Body in Englishtown starting in September 2023. The auto body shop is now closed.

Investigators found Barbella had been depositing claim checks from insurance companies into a business account for the shop despite performing no work on the corresponding vehicles at least six times, with the checks totaling $42,265, the prosecutor's office said.

In one instance, Barbella forged a customer's signature on the back of a claim check, the prosecutor's office said.

Barbella used to fund payroll and cover personal living expenses, at times via cash withdrawals, the prosecutor's office said.

Barbella was served the charges via summons pending future court proceedings, the prosecutor's office said.

Anyone with further information about Barbella's activities is asked to call Detective Debra Bassinder of the prosecutor's office at 800-533-7443.