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FREEHOLD, NJ – The Englishtown Police Chief is facing criminal charges in an investigation announced Tuesday by Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago.

Chief Peter S. Cooke, 58, was charged with third-degree computer theft and third-degree conspiracy to commit shoplifting. The investigation, led by the MCPO’s Professional Responsibility Unit, found 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 in August and September. Charges against Cooke were served earlier this month, and proceedings are set to take place in Monmouth County Superior Court.

MCPO Deputy Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the Professional Responsibility Unit, is referring the case. West Orange-based Debbie Simon represents Cooke. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, with all rights granted by the US Constitution and state law.