Rutgers Cop Threatened Roommate With Gun, Demanded Rent: Police

OCEAN TOWNSHIP (MONMOUTH COUNTY), NJ — A now-suspended Rutgers University police officer is facing criminal charges after threatening his roommate with a gun and demanding rent money, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni.

William Tartis, 27, of Ocean Township, is charged with second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth-degree aggravated assault in connection with multiple instances where he pulled a firearm on his roommate, said police.

Ten firearms were seized from Tartis’ Ocean Twp. residence Sunday night, including his duty weapon. Tartis began his employment with the Rutgers University Police Department on January 7, 2020 and is currently suspended without pay from his post at Rutgers.

"His actions, as alleged, do not reflect upon the excellent work of the members of the Rutgers University Police Department,” said Rutgers University director of public safety, Chief Kenneth Cop.

Police say that on multiple occasions since the summer of 2020, Tartis pointed a shotgun and a handgun at his roommate in their shared apartment in Ocean Township. Tartis would pretend to shoot his roommate with the barrel of a firearm pointed at him, said the prosecutor. At times, Tartis would point a firearm at his roommate and request rent money or instruct his roommate to turn down the volume on the television, said police.

Tartis was also charged with domestic violence harassment regarding a second victim, a woman who had recently been in a relationship with him.