Veteran who lied about war injury accused of impersonating officer
Angelo Otchy, a U.S. Army veteran once caught fabricating war stories, was arrested for allegedly impersonating a police officer on the Atlantic City Expressway in Pleasantville City, N.J.
A U.S. Army veteran once caught fabricating war stories was arrested Tuesday for allegedly impersonating a police officer.
Angelo Otchy, 39, pulled up next to a woman on the Atlantic City Expressway Jan. 13 and flashed a badge, according to a news release from the New Jersey State Police.
As he motioned for the female driver to pull over, she became afraid and called 911, police said.
Otchy, behind the wheel of a blue 2013 Hyundai Elantra, allegedly followed the victim for four miles, until she pulled over at the Pleasantville Toll Plaza.
Troopers identified him as a suspect "through various investigative means" and took him into custody at his Toms River home, according to investigators.
Otchy became the subject of news reports in 2010, when he received a medal honoring his army service from officials in Verona, N.J.
At the merit ceremony, he said he was injured by an improvised explosive device during one of three tours he served in Iraq, according to a report from The Star-Ledger.
A subsequent investigation by the newspaper found Otchy bounced between various branches of the military throughout his adult life, was sent home by the army after just a half a tour in Iraq, and was not overseas during the explosion he discussed.
At the time, Otchy told The Star-Ledger he was "deeply sorry" for his embellishment and that he just "wanted someone to appreciate" his time in the armed services.
He was processed Tuesday on charges of impersonating a police officer and harassment, and released pending a future court date.