Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on Thursday, June 13, Mr. Christopher Oldham, 32, of Manahawkin, was arrested and charged with Theft of Moveable Property, Tampering With Evidence, and Filing a False Police Report, in connection with his employment as a Detective with the Harvey Cedars Police Department.
According to officials, the Professional Standards Unit of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office investigated this matter following an audit by the Harvey Cedars Police Department.
Reports say that the audit revealed that a silver necklace, valued in excess of $200, was missing from the evidence room while Oldham was the Custodian of Evidence.
The investigation further revealed that Oldham indicated the necklace was unclaimed property and had been turned over to the Borough of Harvey Cedars to be auctioned, according to police. An audit revealed that the necklace was never turned over to the Borough of Harvey Cedars.
Oldham will be suspended from the Harvey Cedars Police Department without pay pending resolution of the criminal charges filed against him, reports say.
The public and media are reminded that all defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.