September 15, 2008: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq, Deputy Chief William Schievella and Rockaway Township Chief of Police Walt Ardin, announce the conclusion of an investigation in connection with a report of a Rockaway Township Police Sergeant who stole eight breakfast sandwiches from a Quick Chek convenience store.

On December 15, 2007, Rockaway Township Police Sergeant Christopher Stahl, age 39, purposely walked out of a Quick Chek convenience store located at 25 West Main Street in Rockaway Borough without paying for eight breakfast sandwiches, totaling $29.45. Following an investigation by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office and the Rockaway Township Police Department, the defendant was eventually charged with one count of Theft.

Today, the defendant pled guilty to one count of a disorderly persons charge of Theft. He was also sentenced to a $100 fine, restitution of $30 and he had to forfeit his current public office position and any future public service position.

Prosecutor Bianchi stated "This plea represents the fact that no one is above the law. The Morris County Prosecutor's Office is committed to purging, from all levels of public service, those who abuse the public trust or the taxpayers' hard earned money.

This plea has dramatic but inevitable consequences to the defendant. Among other conditions, he has lost his lifelong job as a police officer and may never again serve as a public servant in any capacity for the rest of his life. All of this for the theft of $29.45 worth of goods. The loss of their public office as a condition of this plea represents a greater consequence than that given to the average citizen for a conviction of this nature. Nevertheless, it must be made clear that no public official is above the law, and if they violate the law, even for otherwise minor offenses, there are dramatic, life altering consequences.

I strongly applaud the Rockaway Township Police Department's assistance provided during this investigation and for bringing this matter to our attention. Chief Ardin and his officers should be proud of working for a department that is willing to address problematic officers in a manner that reflects their commitment to the public to ferret out wrongdoers just as they would any other citizen, and not to merely look the other way. I give assurances to the citizens of Rockaway Township that their police chief and officers are of the highest caliber and that they should be proud of the manner with which their department handled this matter."

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio