SEA BRIGHT – A former borough police officer will spend five years in prison after stalking and threatening an ex-girlfriend.
In addition to the prison sentence, Erich A. Bennett, 47, will not be allowed to hold public office, had to surrender all his firearms, and submit to a permanent restraining order. He will also pay restitution in the amount of nearly $4,800, police said.
Between October 2022 and January 2023, he continually performed actions to instill fear in his victim, including disabling her home security system, slashing her tires, keying her car, and threatening harm and sexual mutilation, both in person and via a fake social media account. He also looked up the victim and four of her associates in law enforcement databases when on duty.
Bennett was arrested without incident in January 2023. The charges he admitted to in a plea deal included third-degree Computer Theft, third-degree Criminal Mischief, fourth-degree Hindering Apprehension, and fourth-degree Stalking.
The victim was present for the sentencing hearing and read a statement into the record.
“This defendant swore an oath to keep the public safe from individuals capable of the type of conduct he ultimately committed, marking an egregious betrayal of the public’s trust,” Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said. “We strongly commend the victim’s courage and fortitude in this matter.”
