Retired Police Officer Facing Theft Charges In Ocean County

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OCEAN COUNTY – A retired police officer from a Long Beach Island department has been charged with stealing  funds from a PBA bank account when serving as a treasurer, Ocean County authorities said.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said 44-year-old Jason Hildebrant of Lacey Township has been charged in the theft of $47,000 from a PBA bank account between October 2018 and December 2022.

Hildebrant was charged with Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition.

The charge results from an investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crimes Squad and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Unit.

The investigation revealed that Hildebrant – a recently retired Long Beach Township Police Officer – was acting in his capacity as Treasurer of the New Jersey Policeman’s Benevolent Association (PBA)–Ocean County Conference between October 2018 and December 2022, when he unlawfully withdrew funds from the Association’s bank account by way of ATM and counter withdrawals and utilized approximately $47,000 in stolen funds for his own personal benefit.

Hildebrant was processed at the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and released on a summons pending a future appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.

Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Unit for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.

The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).