Jackson police officer faces hindering charge in murder probe

By ANDREW MARTINS
Staff Writer

 Eric Prosniewski Eric Prosniewski JACKSON — An officer who has been employed by the Jackson Police Department for more than 11 years has been charged with hindering a murder investigation.

Law enforcement authorities revealed few details regarding the charges following the arrest of Officer Eric Prosniewski, 45, at his home in the township on May 14.

Prosniewski was charged with two counts of hindering apprehension, according to Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Al Della Fave. Bail for Prosniewski was set at $100,000 with no 10 percent option, and he was placed in the Ocean County jail in Toms River.

Jackson Police Chief Matthew Kunz said Prosniewski has been suspended without pay while the investigation is ongoing.

Della Fave said the charges were filed against Prosniewski for allegedly providing false information to detectives from the prosecutor’s office during their investigation of the murder of Peyman Sanandaji, 34. He said the false information was provided by Prosniewski while he was off duty.

Sanandaji was shot to death in a closed Jackson restaurant on April 9. Authorities have not said why he or his alleged killers were in the restaurant.

Authorities said Prosniewski is a friend of Daniele G. Romeodisantillo, 27, of Manalapan, one of two men charged in connection with Sanandaji’s murder.

According to the prosecutor’s office, the murder took place just before 11 p.m. April 9 at the closed Casanova Ristorante in Romeo’s Plaza, South New Prospect and Bennetts Mills roads, Jackson.

Hector Calderon, 47, of Freehold Borough, was arrested on April 10 and charged with murder, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Calderon’s bail was set at $1 million, and he was placed in the county jail.

Romeodisantillo turned himself in to authorities on April 17 and was charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. His bail was set at $1 million, cash only, and he was placed in the county jail.

According to Jackson police officials, Prosniewski has been a member of the force since August 2003.

Kunz said the actions that are alleged to have been taken by the officer were an “isolated incident.”

“It is extremely unfortunate that a member of our department has been charged by the prosecutor’s office with certain conduct while [he was] off duty that violated the laws of the state and, more importantly, the trust of this department, of his colleagues, and of the township by whom he was employed,” Kunz said.