CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – Jacob M. Harris, 32, of Egg Harbor Township, a police officer for the Ocean City Police Department, was arrested and charged with stalking, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Chief of Detectives Paul Skill announced Friday afternoon, Jan. 28.
On Jan. 26, the Lower Township Police Department was called to a residence for a report of a tracking device found on a vehicle, Skill and Sutherland said, and investigation revealed the device allegedly belonged to Harris. The incident was investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Unit.
On Jan. 27, as a result of the investigation, Harris was charged with one count of stalking, a fourth-degree crime. The officials said Harris was arrested without incident the same day and released on a summons pending court proceedings.
Harris is currently on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings, Skill and Sutherland reported. An individual convicted of a fourth-degree crime can be sentenced up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison.
Anyone with information regarding the investigation should contact the Professional Standards Unit at (609) 465-1135 or report anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriff Department’s Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on anonymous tip, or through Cape May County Crime Stoppers at (609) 889-3597.
– By DAVID NAHAN, SENTINEL STAFF