NEWTON, N.H. (AP) – Police say what appeared at first to be a simple traffic stop ended with a man being arrested and charged with impersonating a police officer. Elijah Hannan, 22, was found sleeping in his car parked outside his Newton apartment at about 6:30 a.m. Friday. An officer investigating a report of a stranded driver said that he saw Hannan wearing a jacket and hat marked “Police,” along with a shotgun in the back of the vehicle and a handgun on Hannan’s hip.

“I was thinking at first that it was a broken-down vehicle, it was routine,” Officer Michael Jewitt said. “All of a sudden, to see firearms inside the vehicle – it’s something that sets you back.” Jewitt called for help, and Hannan was arrested. Police said that they seized weapons, handcuffs, ammunition and military tactical manuals from Hannan’s car, and about a dozen more weapons – including handguns, knives and machetes – from his apartment.

Police Chief Larry Streeter said officers were investigating whether Hannan legally owned the weapons. Hannan told police he hadn’t eaten in two days, had consumed whiskey and a case of beer and was having trouble with his roommates when he moved his car near the entrance of the apartment complex at about 1 a.m., police said.

Hannan, who has no prior convictions, told officials he was employed as a landscaper and pizza delivery man.

Hannan was ordered held on $250,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in Plaistow District Court on July 18 for a probable cause hearing.

AP-ES-05-28-05 1821EDT