FREEHOLD - Two Asbury Park police officers are accused of vandalizing two cars belonging to someone who had filed administrative complaints against them both, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office announced Wednesday.

Thomas A. Dowling, 26, and Stephen M. Martinsen, 29, both of Asbury Park, are each facing eight criminal charges out of Asbury Park and Neptune, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office announced Wednesday. The officers face a single count each of fourth-degree criminal mischief, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and third-degree conspiracy from each town

Dowling, a Class-II special officer, has been terminated, the Prosecutor's Office announced. Martinsen, a full-time officer, has been suspended without pay. The pair were arrested Tuesday

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"The charges stem from two separate incidents of vandalism to two vehicles, one vehicle in Ocean Grove and one in Asbury Park," spokesman Christopher Swendeman wrote on behalf of the Prosecutor's Office. Dowling and Martinsen "did purposefully damage both vehicles, both owned by the same person. The vehicle owner had filed an administrative complaint against both officers several days before the vandalism incidents."

Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said he could not speak to the nature of the internal affairs complaint, in an interview Wednesday.

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Gramiccioni did say that Dowling and Martinsen are believed to have disguised themselves before riding bicycles to the victim's cars and slashing tires.

Dowling, Gramiccioni said, is believed to have put a hand through a window, cutting himself.

Though neither man is facing any charges of official misconduct, Gramiccioni said that possibility is not off the table.

"We'll see where this case goes," Gramiccioni said. "If the state's feet is held to the fire and we go to a grand jury, there's probably a strong possibility you'll see official misconduct charges."

An official misconduct conviction would carry a five-year mandatory minimum prison sentence, Gramiccioni said. If convicted of all the charges they are currently facing, each man could face up to 26 years in prison apiece.

Gramiccioni said that the Asbury Park Police Department cooperated fully in the investigation, and characterized the agency as dedicated not only to criminal investigations but also to engendering trust with the residents it serves.

"I ask the public to pause and give the department the benefit of the doubt, because they are an outstanding police department," Gramiccioni said.

More generally, "The vast majority of law enforcement officers perform their duties with integrity and honor. However, when a police officer takes advantage of the very citizens they are sworn to protect, it erodes public confidence and violates the public trust," Gramiccioni said in a prepared statement Wednesday. "Such behavior will never be acceptable or tolerated. If these charges prove to be true, this is the quintessential definition of a breach of trust between law enforcement and the public."

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Asbury Park Police Chief David Kelso thanked the Prosecutor's Office in a prepared statement.

The defendants' "behavior is not acceptable and does not represent the level of professionalism, community focus or resident safety that we expect of our officers," Kelso said. "We will not let the actions of these officers overshadow the great work and dedication by the men and women of this department.

Martinsen's most recent annual salary was $40,635, according to state pension records. He has worked as a full-time officer since October 2017, according to pension records.

Dowling's public income was not immediately available.

Both men were processed, issued summonses and released pending court appearances, Gramiccioni said.

Efforts to reach Dowling and Martinsen were unsuccessful. It was unclear Wednesday if either had retained an attorney.

Alex N. Gecan has covered crime in New Jersey since 2016. His work as a reporter and editor has earned him professional awards in Connecticut, Louisiana and New Jersey for public service, business reporting and features. Contact him at agecan@gannettnj.com or 732-643-4043 or follow him on Twitter @GeeksterTweets.