Woman Had Crack in Car, Fought With Cops During Traffic Stop, Police Say

A Sparta woman tried hiding crack paraphernalia after being stopped by police and ended up with a laceration to her forehead and multiple drug charges.

On Nov. 25 a motorist in Hopatcong called local police to report an erratic driver, Lt. Thomas Kmetz said. The caller said the motorist was swerving and nearly hit light pole before pulling into a Quick Chek parking lot, Kmetz said

When officers arrived they noticed the driver pull out of the current spot she was in and enter another one, Kmetz said.

Police approached the vehicle and found Julie Lang, 34, operating the vehicle, Kmetz said. When police were speaking with Lang, she tried on multiple occasions to reach under her seat despite being told not to, Kmetz said.

At that point one of the officers grabbed Lang by the shoulder and ordered her out of the car. She complied but hid something in her hand and refused to open it, Kmetz said.

Lang began to flail her arms and tried to put her hand in her mouth and pocket, pulling away from the officers, Kmetz said. At that point Lang was taken to the ground, at which time she suffered a cut to her forehead, Kmetz said.

Police found a small piece of empty foil in her hand and two crack pipes, copper brillo, and a small bag of suspected crack cocaine in her car, Kmetz said.

Lang was arrested and given an Alcotest and drug exam.

She was charged with possession of crack, obstruction of justice, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and possession of drugs in a motor vehicle.

Pictured: Jessica Lang, 34, of Sparta. Photo Credit: Hopatcong Police Department.