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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCops admit vandalizing cars of man who filed complaint against them, prosecutor says
Two Asbury Park police officers admitted Tuesday that they vandalized a pair of cars last year belonging to a man who filed an internal affairs complaint against them, authorities said.
Asbury Park Police Officer Stephen Martinsen, 31, and former SLEO-2 Thomas Dowling, 27, both of Asbury Park, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal mischief and as part of their plea deals they must forfeit any future public employment in the state, according to a statement from Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
They also face probation when they are sentenced on Oct. 16 and must pay back the victim for the damage they caused to his cars, the office said.
Spiteful retaliation from law enforcement officers towards a citizen for any reason is an unacceptable option. This is in no way condoned at any level, for any reason, Gramiccioni said in the statement. All members of the law enforcement community must maintain the publics trust by conducting themselves at the highest level of integrity and decency.
Authorities say the men wore disguises when they rode their bikes to the vehicles in Ocean Grove and Asbury Park, smashed out the windows and slashed all the tires on Sept. 3 between 3 and 4 a.m.
The vehicles belonged to Ernest G. Mignoli, an outspoken Asbury Park resident critical of the citys police department. Mignoli, 70, had filed an administrative complaint against both officers several days before the incidents. His jaw dropped when he learned that the people responsible for damaging his white Jeep Liberty and Toyota Prius were police officers, he said in an interview with NJ Advance Media last year.
The cars suffered $500 in damage, the office said.
https://www.nj.com/monmouth/2020/08/cops-admit-vandalizing-cars-of-man-who-filed-complaint-against-them-prosecutor-says.html
Cirque du So-What
(25,910 posts)Smashed out all the windows and slashed all the tires on two vehicles? On what planet can all that be repaired for $500?
druidity33
(6,445 posts)SeattleVet
(5,477 posts)Demovictory9
(32,423 posts)add the windows... total probably $2500.