Robert Zbikowski was sworn-in as sergeant Jan. 3, 2023.
A Hammonton police sergeant who allegedly failed his drug test is accused of stealing drugs from the evidence room he oversaw.
Robert Zbikowski, 45, is charged with two counts of official misconduct for allegedly taking methamphetamine and oxycodone that were logged and secured as evidence while he was the room’s custodian between Aug. 16, 2023 and Feb. 22 of this year, when he was suspended.
The Hammonton Police Department contacted the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office after Zbikowski failed a urine test Feb. 12, and an inventory was taken of the evidence room, according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by BreakingAC.
Nine items listed as containing confirmed and suspected methamphetamine were missing, the investigator wrote.
Surveillance of the evidence room on Feb. 15 and 16, 2024, found Zbikowski tampering with two separate logged and secured evidence bags both suspected to be methamphetamine, the affidavit states.
Search warrants were obtained in September for Zbikowski’s cell phone and to obtain his DNA sample via a buccal swab.
The N.J. State Police DNA Laboratory confirmed Zbikowski’s DNA on one evidence bag that was torn open and described as containing a pill bottle with nine blue circular pills believed to be oxycodone, according to the investigation.
There also were tears, holes and cuts made near on evidence bags in the area under the folded seal and behind the label. The investigator observed cuts through the middle, pen sized puncture holes and holes resembling those made by pressing the fingers of both hands into plastic and pulling in opposite directions, which were deemed inconsistent with the lawful entry of evidence bags for further law enforcement investigational purposes.
Additionally, "items of controlled dangerous substance evidence that had been returned from the lab, and visibly marked with NJSP evidence labels were found torn, cut open, tampered with, and empty," the investigator wrote.
Zbikowski was charged on a five-count summons this week that includes a third-degree charge of theft by unlawful taking, along with fourth-degree counts of tampering with evidence and obstruction.
The Hammonton resident and married father of two was the face of the town's K-9 Unit for a time, after a seized Cadillac was transformed into a vehicle for him and his then-partner, Chase, in 2019.
The dog retired in 2022, after more than a decade of service, and became the Zbikowski family’s pet. He died Jan. 7, 2023, just days after Zbikowski was promoted to sergeant.
Zbikowski is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 20.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office’s Professional Standards and Accountability Unit is investigating.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
