A 39-year-old New Jersey police captain is accused of possessing an open alcohol container when he crashed an unmarked patrol car while on duty. North Plainfield Police Department Capt. Edward Ciempola was placed on leave following the July 21 collision in Branchburg, N.J., according to NJ.com. Inve stigators reportedly want to know why Ciempola wasn’t in his own jurisdiction when the incident occurred roughly 20 miles north of the North Plainfield Police Department station. His attorney didn’t address NJ.com’s request for comment. Branchburg Township officials declined to discuss the matter. An investigation is said to be ongoing. Ciempola was reportedly charged with careless driving and for having an open container of alcohol or unsealed cannabis in a motor vehicle nearly a month after the crash. He’s due in court on Jan. 5. Ciempola is the second North Plainfield officer to find himself on the wrong side of the law in as many months. Sgt. David R. Canica — a 27-year department veteran — was charged with shoplifting from the same supermarket on four occasions in November. NJ.com said that 50-year-old cop was busted by store security officers who identified him through his shopper rewards card information. He’s accused of stealing more than $200 in merchandise. Canica was reportedly suspended without pay. The North Plainfield Police Department is roughly 33 miles west of Grand Central Terminal. ...read more read less