Crime & Safety

Road Rage in Scotch Plains Leads to Arrest in Westfield

A Garwood resident allegedly threatens to shoot an off-duty Plainfield police officer.

A close call between two drivers at North Avenue and Hetfield Road in Scotch Plains escalated to an alleged shooting threat and an arrest in Westfield on Wednesday afternoon.

At about 2:30 p.m., Henry Koempel Jr., 58, of Garwood, and an off-duty Plainfield police officer were driving in adjacent lanes on North Avenue, Westfield Police Captain Clifford Autcher said. As the two lanes merged to one, the two cars nearly collided.

The Plainfield officer yielded to Koempel. But when the two drivers reached the traffic circle on South Avenue in Westfield, Autcher said, Koempel pulled alongside the Plainfield officer, yelled and threatened to shoot him.

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The officer called 911 and Westfield police soon stopped Koempel at North Avenue and Chestnut Street. Upon searching his vehicle, they found what appeared to be a baton, Autcher said.

Police arrested Koempel for making terroristic threats, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes. Bail was set at $10,000. As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, Koempel was being held at police headquarters in lieu of bail.

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