Bookkeeper Stole More Than $300K From Mahwah Company: Police

MAHWAH, NJ — A Bergen County woman was arrested for allegedly stealing more than $300,000 from a local tree service company she worked for as a bookkeeper.

Julie Shih, 39, of Closter, was charged with theft and forgery after she was arrested following an investigation by Mahwah Detective Eric Larsen, said Police Chief James Batelli.

Authorities thought the initial amount of the theft was $60,000, but the investigation revealed that the amount was more than $300,000, Batelli said.

The owner of the company and his attorney reported to Mahwah Police that one of his employees may have been stealing from him. The owner reported that while reviewing financial records several business checks were cashed and deposited into multiple bank accounts, which turned out to be Shih's, without authorization, Batelli said.

Larsen and Detective Sgt. Kevin Hebert interviewed Shih, who was also the office manager, and arrested her. Shih was paying her credit cards off with funds from the company, Batelli said.

Shih worked for the company for seven years and was responsible for maintaining its financial records. Police said it appears she had been stealing from the company since 2015.

Shih was charged and released under the New Jersey Bail Reform Act pending a court date, Batelli said.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Julie Shih, 39, of Closter (Mahwah Police Department)