New Jersey man faces charges after trying to pull over off-duty trooper

Authorities say a New Jersey man has been charged with impersonating a public servant after he attempted to pull over an off-duty state trooper.

New Jersey State Police said Friday that 25-year-old Zachary Schmidt, of Bloomsbury, on Thursday flashed blue emergency lights and a placard with a state police decal at an off-duty trooper in an attempt to pull him over.

The trooper reported the incident and Schmidt was arrested and charged with impersonating a public servant. He was released pending a court appearance.

Police say the placard had a Pennsylvania State Police decal on the reverse side.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

The incident happened about 10 p.m. in Pohatcong Township on Interstate 78, about a mile from the Pennsylvania border.

A message left at a number listed for Schmidt has not been returned.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal