Crime & Safety
Cops: Driver Lied About Identification During Stop
Hackettstown man was pulled over after police noticed a child standing up inside the vehicle.
A Hackettstown man was arrested on Saturday, March 5 after being stopped by Officer Michael Thompson on Route 46 for a motor vehicle violation, according to police.
Fernando Martinez Lopez, 25, of Hackettstown, was driving a GMC Sonoma pick-up truck when he was stopped by Officer Thompson. Thompson noticed a four-year-old girl standing up in the vehicle, unsecured, police said.
After Thompson questioned Lopez, he learned that the Hackettstown resident provided false information in order to avoid detection. It was learned that Lopez did not have a driver’s license and his New Jersey identification was suspended, police said.
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Lopez was also found to be in possession of prescription pain medicine that did not belong to him. Lopez was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice, illegal possession of prescription pain medication, unlicensed driver, and a seatbelt violation regarding the child in the vehicle.
Lopez’s vehicle was impounded and the child was released to her father.
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