N.J. state police arrest Camden officer on charge of helping man rob drug dealers

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) A veteran of 18 years on the city police force has been arrested for allegedly assisting a man in robbing drug dealers, officials announced Saturday. <br/><br/>Cpl. Michael A. Hearne

Saturday, November 11th 2006, 4:44 pm

By: News On 6

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) A veteran of 18 years on the city police force has been arrested for allegedly assisting a man in robbing drug dealers, officials announced Saturday.

Cpl. Michael A. Hearne was arrested late Friday while in uniform and was charged with official misconduct, conspiracy to commit robbery, money laundering and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.

``After seeing the results of a life of crimes, it's very sad when any sworn officer crosses the line,'' State Police Lt. Mike Cartagena said in a statement.

Police said Hearne gave his accomplice an illegal handgun to use in robbing specific drug dealers, and the two then split the proceeds. They said the accomplice claimed one robbery netted about $30,000.

Hearne, 42, of Woodbury, was being held in lieu of $2 million bail, authorities said.