Crime & Safety

Parents Of NJ Teen Impersonating Cop Arrested, Real Cops Say

The teen is accused of impersonating a police officer and pulling over cars in an unmarked vehicle in Hunterdon County.

RARITAN TOWNSHIP, NJ — The parents of a Raritan Township teenager, who is accused of impersonating a police officer and pulling over cars in an unmarked vehicle, have also been arrested.

David Pluchino, 51 and Reneen Pluchino, 49, both of Raritan Township(Hunterdon County) were each charged with fourth-degree conspiracy to tamper with physical evidence, announced the Raritan Township Police Department on Friday.

The arrests follow an investigation into their son, Dean R. Pluchino, 18, of Raritan Township.

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Readington Police had sent out a warning on Jan. 9 about suspicious incidents that were "reported in neighboring jurisdictions involving an individual impersonating a police officer while operating an unmarked vehicle and directing motorists to stop."

Dean Pluchino was charged on Jan. 16 with two counts of fourth-degree impersonating a law enforcement officer and one count of fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence.

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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.

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