Asbury Park ex-cops admit vandalizing cars of man who filed complaint against them

Hat tip, Newser, which is a clickbait site.

https://www.newser.com/story/295441/cops-fess-up-we-vandalized-guys-cars-after-his-complaint.html

Asbury Park ex-cops admit vandalizing cars of man who filed complaint against them
Andrew J. Goudsward
Asbury Park Press
Published 6:51 p.m. ET Aug. 25, 2020' | Updated 1:16 p.m. ET Aug. 26, 2020

Two former Asbury Park police officers admitted Tuesday that they vandalized two cars belonging to a city man last year after he filed a complaint against them, authorities said.

The officers, Stephen M. Martinensen, 31, and Thomas A. Dowling, 27, both of Asbury Park, each pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal mischief at a virtual hearing before state Superior Court Judge Vincent N. Falcetano, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release.

Prosecutors will recommend the pair avoid jail time and instead be sentenced to probation on the condition they pay restitution to the victim for the damaged cars, according to the news release. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 16.

Martinensen and Dowling were accused of vandalizing two cars, one in Asbury Park and one in Ocean Grove, between 3 and 4 a.m. on Sept. 3, 2019. They donned masks and gloves and rode bikes to the locations of the two vehicles, authorities said.

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Andrew Goudsward: agoudsward@gannettnj.com; @agoudsward on Twitter.