The Englishtown police chief was criminally charged after being accused of illegally using a law enforcement database and assisting another person in shoplifting, authorities said.
Between February 2019 and August 2023, 58-year-old Englishtown Police Chief Peter S. Cooke used the database to look up information about two people outside the scope of police investigative purposes, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office alleged in an announcement Tuesday.
And while on administrative leave for an undisclosed purpose, Cooke is accused of aiding an unknown co-conspirator in several cases of shoplifting at a local supermarket, the office said.
No other details about the investigation or Cooke’s alleged crimes have been released by the office.
Cooke was charged earlier this month with third-degree computer theft and third-degree conspiracy to commit shoplifting and has legal proceedings pending in Monmouth County Superior Court, officials said.
Mayor Daniel Francisco of the English city said that the municipality became aware of the charges against Cooke on November 1 and that the municipality had no role in the investigation or the charges as they came from outside the municipality.
The mayor said Cooke will be suspended without pay while the case is adjudicated.
“During this charge, the police department will continue to be led by Lt. Trevor Martinson – who has done an excellent job building relationships within the community and leading his team,” Francisco said. “I have complete confidence in Lt. Martinson and his continued leadership.”
Cooke has an annual salary of $128,540, according to online records.
His attorney, Debbie Simon, could not immediately be reached for comment.
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Chris Sheldon can be reached at [email protected].