Man Disrupted Motor Vehicle Stop, Cops Say

A Washington Township man was arrested and charged with interfering with a public official when he questioned a police officer during a motor vehicle stop, Hackettstown Police said.

A Hackettstown police officer was conducting a motor vehicle stop at 1:10 a.m. Tuesday on Route 46 near Valentine Street when a vehicle pulled in front of the car that had been stopped, Sgt. Darren Tynan said.

James Appis, 41, exited his vehicle and approached the officer, asking the official, “Do you have a problem,” Tynan said.

The officer told Appis not to approach the scene any more, but he didn’t comply, and was placed under arrest, Tynan said.

Tynan said Appis knew the motorist being stopped.

Appis was charged with interfering with a public official and released pending a court appearance.

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