2 NJ cops admit slashing tires of critic’s cars

Two New Jersey cops have admitted to slashing the tires and smashing a window on cars owned by a man who filed an internal affairs complaint against them, prosecutors said.

Asbury Park Police Officer Stephen Martinsen, 31, and former Special Law Enforcement Officer Thomas Dowling, 27, pleaded guilty

Tuesday to criminal mischief, admitting they vandalized the vehicles owned by an outspoken city resident critical of the department in September 2019, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni announced.

“Spiteful retaliation from law enforcement officers towards a citizen for any reason is an unacceptable option,” Gramiccioni said in a statement. “This is in no way condoned at any level, for any reason.”

The cops slashed the tires on a Jeep Liberty and Toyota Prius, and smashed a window on one vehicle, causing $500 worth of damage, the prosecutor said.

Authorities have said the two officers wore disguises and rode bicycles to the vehicles, which were parked in Ocean Grove and Asbury Park on Sept. 3, 2019, NJ.com reported.

The cars’ owner, Ernest Mignoli, 70, had filed an administrative complaint against the cops just days earlier. He told NJ.com last year his “jaw dropped” when he learned the officers were accused of targeting his cars.

As part of a plea deal, prosecutors will agree to recommend probation for Martinsen and Dowling when they’re sentenced on Oct. 16. Gramiccioni said they will forfeit any future public employment in New Jersey.