FREEHOLD, N.J. – A New Jersey police officer who skipped out on his trial on charges he helped gang members in investigations was arrested Wednesday in North Carolina.
Asbury Park patrolman Keith German, who is accused of tipping off gang members about police investigations in exchange for help stalking a woman who turned own his advances, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service, Monmouth County prosecutors said.
German, of Tinton Falls, had a gang member post flyers in Asbury Park with the woman's picture on it and the words, "This is the face of HIV," assistant prosecutor Joseph Cummings said during opening arguments in the trial earlier this month for German and two alleged gang members.
Cummings said that the woman then received text messages telling her of a police officer who could help her, but then she realized it was German after he sent her a picture of himself.
"Do you need more fliers? I can get you more," Cummings said German told alleged gang leader James Fair after the woman told him she wanted to kill herself. He then filed a harassment complaint against the woman.
He was free on $50,000 bond, charged with crimes including official misconduct, racketeering conspiracy, stalking and computer theft. He vanished June 20.
The Raleigh branch of the Marshals Service was involved in German's arrest.
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