Charged

Englishtown Police Chief Charged with Criminal Offenses

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Englishtown Police Chief Charged with Criminal Offenses

**FREEHOLD, NJ** – The Englishtown Chief of Police faces criminal charges following an investigation announced by Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago on Tuesday.

Chief Peter S. Cooke, aged 58, has been charged with third-degree Computer Theft and third-degree Conspiracy to Commit Shoplifting. The investigation, led by the MCPO Professional Responsibility Unit, uncovered that between February 2019 and August 2023, Cooke misused a law-enforcement database to access personal information about two individuals without a lawful purpose.

Additionally, it was revealed that Cooke, while on administrative leave, assisted a co-conspirator in committing multiple shoplifting incidents at a local grocery store during August and September. The charges against Cooke were served earlier this month, with proceedings set to occur in Monmouth County Superior Court.

MCPO Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the Professional Responsibility Unit, is prosecuting the case. Debbie Simon, based in West Orange, represents Cooke. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, with all rights afforded by the U.S. Constitution and State law.

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Queens Man Charged with Staging Dangerous Car Crash

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Title: Queens Man Charged with Staging Dangerous Car Crash

**Queens, NY** – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced charges against Maikel Martinez for allegedly staging a motor vehicle accident and reckless endangerment. The incident on the Belt Parkway involved a car reportedly driven by Martinez cutting off another vehicle, resulting in a collision.

On October 16, at approximately 11:11 a.m., Asphia Natasha was driving with her vehicle’s dashboard cameras recording the incident. A silver Honda Civic cut in front of her car before abruptly reversing into it. The occupants allegedly obstructed the view with a tarp, switched seats, and left the vehicle shortly after the collision.

Four individuals exited the Honda, including a man who identified himself as Maikel Martinez, claiming his wife was the driver. Another unidentified man and woman exited the vehicle, with one later entering a red Kia that had followed Natasha’s car.

Martinez, 28, of Dyker Heights, was arraigned Thursday night on multiple charges. Criminal Court Judge Jerry Iannece has scheduled his next court appearance for January 7, 2025. Martinez faces up to seven years in prison if convicted, and the investigation is ongoing.

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