Pair sold tools that had been bought on Lauderdale credit cards, cops say

Father and son accomplices of a former Fort Lauderdale public works supervisor jailed for allegedly misusing his city-issued credit cards have been arrested on charges of dealing in stolen property, police said Friday.

Brian Newby, 24, was arrested Thursday. His father, Ronald Newby, 59, was arrested Friday.

They are accused of working with Joseph Arena, who turned himself in June 1. Arena allegedly used purchasing cards to buy expensive tools that were then resold for cash. The scheme was uncovered during a lengthy public corruption investigation by the police department’s economic crimes unit.

The Newbys, of Coconut Creek, sold the tools for profit, police said.

“[The Newbys] were aware that Arena was a city of Fort Lauderdale employee and that the items that they sold were the property of the city of Fort Lauderdale,” said Detective Kenneth Giles, a police spokesman. “They simply conspired with Arena to sell the stolen items for their own profit.”

The Newbys were not municipal employees. Police did not say how they were acquainted with Arena.

Brian Newby faces 55 charges related to stolen property. He is being held in the Broward Main Jail on $82,500 bond.

Ronald Newby faces 18 similar charges. His bond amount was not immediately available.

Upon arrest, Arena confirmed he used city purchasing cards to buy tools and sell them for cash and then bought illegally obtained prescription pills, an arrest report said.

Arena, 57, of Margate, is facing 27 theft-related charges. He remains jailed in Pompano Beach on $69,000 bond.

The amount of the alleged thefts was not disclosed, but Arena is accused of stealing property worth more than $20,000 and less than $100,000.

Arena was the distribution and collection chief in the Public Works Department, where he supervised staff and the operation and maintenance of the city’s water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. An employee for 19 years, his annual salary was $75,649 when he retired Nov. 18, a city spokesman said.