Erich A. Bennett was a police officer in Sea Bright, New Jersey. He was arrested for using police databases to stalk and harass an ex-girlfriend.
They dated for a short time when she ended it in November 2022. On December 5th, he showed up at her home. At first, they had a civil conversation until he threatened to cut off her clitoris and slash her face. She blocked him on her phone and set up a Ring system with additional security cameras. Three days later, online harassment started up on social media. The harassing account traced back to Bennett. Her car was keyed and all her tires slashed. Her home was vandalized and her Ring and additional security cameras were stolen. Investigators said Bennett was in the area at the likely time of the vandalism.
Log-in records show he allegedly used police databases more than thirty times to get information on the woman and her network of friends and colleagues.
He was arrested in January and put on unpaid leave. He was charged with a pattern of official misconduct, two counts of official misconduct, two counts of computer theft, criminal mischief, making terroristic threats, cyber harassment, hindering apprehension, identity theft, and stalking.
He is held without bail because the judge and prosecutors agree he remains an ongoing threat.
- NJ.com: N.J. cop used police databases to stalk ex-girlfriend, investigators say
- Daily Voice: Police Officer Stalked Ex-Girlfriend, Vandalized Her Home: Monmouth Prosecutor
- Asbury Park Press: ‘I need to stalk’: Sea Bright cop, deemed a danger, ordered jailed
Asbury Park, New Jersey · Tuesday, February 07, 2023
