New Jersey police officer accused of inappropriately touching woman during traffic stop

ORANGE, N.J. (WABC) -- A police officer in New Jersey has been charged with inappropriately touching a woman during a routine traffic stop.

The alleged incident happened on Nov. 18th in Orange.

Prosecutors say that Officer Ricardo Arias-Vasquez, 34, of Hampton pulled the woman over and then groped her.

He has been charged with criminal sexual contact and witness tampering.

Arias-Vasquez worked for the Paterson Police Department from May 2007 to April 2011 when he was laid off, authorities say.

He worked for the Orange Police Department from October 2011 to July 2012. He joined the Essex County Prosecutor's Office in July 2012 and stayed until June 2013 when he returned to Orange.

Arias-Vasquez surrendered with his attorney at the Essex County Prosecutor's Office in Newark, according to the prosecutor's office.

Bail was set at $25,000. Arias-Vasquez is scheduled to make his first court appearance before Judge Ryan on Dec. 30.

The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information should contact the Professional Standards Bureau of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office 862-520-3700.