A Keansburg man who posed as a state trooper and robbed two men in October 2012 convicted of impersonating a cop, armed robbery and other charges.
FREEHOLD -- A Keansburg man who posed as a State Trooper and robbed two men in October 2012 was convicted Thursday of impersonating a law enforcement officer, armed robbery and other charges.
Steven Rinck, 49, was convicted of four counts of four counts of impersonating a law enforcement officer, two counts of armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault by pointing a firearm, two counts of making terroristic threats and several weapons charges, according to Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
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Gramiccioni said Rinck posed as a state trooper in order to get into a home at 156 Seeley Avenue at 9 p.m. on Oct. 21, 2012 in Keansburg. He was armed with a handgun and carrying a document that he said was a search warrant, Gramiccioni said.
The prosecutor said Rinck convinced the victim that he was a legitimate member of law enforcement and, once inside, stole cash and drugs from him and a friend who arrived at the house a short time later.
Gramiccioni said during the armed robbery Rinck forced both men at gunpoint into a vehicle. He said Rinck later released the friend, but took the first victim on a ride in search of drugs, making additional claims that he worked for the State Police Gun Trafficking Unit and wanted information regarding where to obtain guns.
The prosecutor said Rinck finally released the victim who reported the incident to Keansburg police, starting the investigation that led to Rinck's arrest.
Rinck faces more than 40 years in state prison when he is sentenced by Superior Court Judge John Tassini on May 24, 2016.
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