HAMBURG -- George Gunderman, the 41-year-old officer in charge of the Hamburg Borough Police Department, was arrested Monday and is in jail facing several charges, including official misconduct and theft.

HAMBURG -- George Gunderman, the 41-year-old officer in charge of the Hamburg Borough Police Department, was arrested Monday and is in jail facing several charges, including official misconduct and theft, according to Sussex County First Assistant Prosecutor Gregory Mueller.

Gunderman, a lieutenant in charge of the eight-member department, was taken into custody while in uniform in front of the Hamburg Borough Municipal Building by detectives with the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office.

He is charged with two counts of second-degree official misconduct; one count third-degree theft, which constitutes a value of more than $500 and up to $75,000; one count fourth-degree theft, with the value of more than $200 and up to $500; one count fourth-degree tampering with public records; and one count fourth-degree tampering with evidence.

Gunderman was lodged in the Sussex County Jail.

Mueller said a decision will be made today if his office intends to file a motion for pre-trial detention in which Gunderman could be kept in the jail pending the disposition of his case.

On Monday evening, Gunderman's attorney, Anthony J. Iacullo, based in Nutley, told the New Jersey Herald his client "maintains his innocence as to these allegations."

"We are confident that when we have our day in court, he will be exonerated as to all charges," Iacullo said. "Our focus now is ensuring his immediate release from custody so that we may begin our defense concerning these charges."

Mueller said additional details will be provided by the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office when they become available, but said, "The conduct is limited to one individual officer and our office has full confidence in the rest of the (Hamburg Police) department and in the police director (Michael Postorino)."

In 2012, following the retirement of former Police Chief Jan Wright, the Hamburg Council, as a way to save the borough money, eliminated the chief position and appointed Wayne Yahm, a retired sheriff's department captain, to the post of police director. One of two sergeants were then designated officer in charge to pick up the duties normally handled by the chief, such as investigations for liquor licenses and civilian pistol permits as well as internal affairs.

Issues with Yahm over the years led to the council allowing his contract to expire in February 2018 and Postorino was appointed several months later.

In 2016, Gunderman, who at the time was the longest tenured sergeant, was appointed officer in charge, but had to cede the position when he went on disability, first from an on-duty injury and then from an off-duty accident. He was reappointed to officer in charge in early 2018 upon his return.

In May 2018, the Hamburg Borough Council appointed Gunderman to the newly created position of police lieutenant/officer in charge of the police department.

According to public records, Gunderman was hired by the Hamburg Borough Police Department in July 2007 and receives a salary of $96,171.

He is also a member of the Franklin Volunteer Fire Department.

If convicted on all charges, he faces up to 29.5 years in state prison.

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