Shoplifting Investigation Reveals South Brunswick Cop Stole $75K From Own Union: Prosecutor

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - A shoplifting investigation involving a South Brunswick Police Department officer revealed that he stole over $75,000 from his own police union, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said Wednesday.

Abraham "Jason" Gassman, 53, faces multiple charges including second-degree official misconduct, second-degree theft by deception, third-degree hindering apprehension, third-degree official misconduct, third-degree theft by deception, fourth-degree falsifying records, and shoplifting.

Gassman was suspended from the police department without pay immediately after Police Chief Raymond Hayducka became aware of the accusations.

The case began when investigators discovered Gassman had shoplifted approximately $100 worth of bedding from an Ocean Township department store earlier this year, fleeing the scene in his police vehicle.

During investigation, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Professional Responsibility Unit revealed a much larger pattern of theft.

As treasurer of his local PBA Chapter since 2009, Gassman had exclusive control over the organization's finances. Over the past six years, he stole more than $75,000 through various schemes, including unauthorized personal purchases on the PBA credit card and theft of cash from charity fundraisers and events, Santiago said.

The personal purchases ranged from home improvement items like patio furniture, storage containers, and vacuums to propane gas, a leaf blower, televisions, a home gym kit, microwave, luggage, and food.

In one instance, Gassman used the PBA credit card to pay for lodging, parking, gas, and food during a business trip with another officer, then submitted a purchase order to the Police Department seeking reimbursement for the same expenses, Santiago said.

When questioned by PBA leadership, Gassman allegedly submitted false documents to the organization's accountant claiming he had repaid personal purchases and changed the PBA credit card password, effectively locking out other leaders.

Gassman surrendered to authorities on Wednesday and is being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending court proceedings.

Prosecutors plan to request that he be prohibited from contacting his former PBA Chapter's Executive Board and ordered to surrender his firearms while the case proceeds.

"We sincerely thank the South Brunswick Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Raymond J. Hayducka, as well as South Brunswick PBA Local No. 166, under the leadership of Chapter President Gerald Sarno, for the resoluteness with which they approached this matter and their consistently helpful cooperation during the course of our investigation," Santiago said.

In a statement to Patch, Chief Hayducka said it was "extremely disappointing" to hear of the accusations and arrest of Gassman. He noted that Grassman did not live up to core values of the police department, which are integrity, respect, and professionalism.

"The standard for suspending a police officer without pay in New Jersey is a high bar to achieve, and I did not make this decision without a careful review of the facts and circumstances, which led me to conclude that the immediate suspension was necessary to maintain safety, health and order of effective police services," Hayducka said.

"The accusations and arrest of Mr. Gassman is extremely disappointing to me and all members of the agency. The accusations against him do not reflect the character and practices of the hardworking men and women of the South Brunswick Police Department that do serve honorably each and every day and live up to our agency's CORE Values."

Hayducka thanked the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office for their investigation, and said he was "extremely proud of the officers" who came forward and reported the misconduct by Gassman.

"Every person is innocent to proven guilty, therefore I will refrain from commenting publicly any
further until the investigation is complete and the case is adjudicated, " Hyaducka said.

Anyone with information about Gassman's activities should contact MCPO Detective Dylan Lovgren at 800-533-7443.

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