Thank you to our Local Business Sponsor:
RARITAN, NJ — A person who was impersonating a police officer and pulling over cars in an unmarked vehicle has been arrested.
Raritan Township Police charged Dean R. Pluchino, 18, of Raritan Township, with two counts of fourth-degree impersonating a law enforcement officer and one count of fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence, announced Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson and Raritan Township Police Chief Al Payne.
The Readington Township Police Department also charged Pluchino with fourth-degree impersonating a law enforcement officer.
Pluchino was released onto pretrial monitoring with conditions.
He faces criminal penalties, including, but not limited to, a term of imprisonment up to 18 months and a fine up to $10,000 for the fourth-degree crimes.
The Raritan Township Police Department(Hunterdon County) thanked the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office, the Readington Township Police Department, and the residents of this county, “who provided the necessary assistance that allowed us to bring this matter to a close.”
Readington Police had sent out a warning about the fake cop last week.
“The Readington Township Police Department is aware of suspicious incidents reported in neighboring jurisdictions involving an individual impersonating a police officer while operating an unmarked vehicle and directing motorists to stop,” said police on Jan. 9.
Anyone with information relating to this investigation is asked to contact the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-788-1129 or the Raritan Township Police Department at 908-782-8889.
Information can also be provided through the Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-321-0010. All anonymous reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
