The man told the officer he was just released from the Morris County jail earlier that afternoon, Hackettstown police said.
A man just released from prison was found celebrating by police with an open container of alcohol outside a Hackettstown store.
At 11:45 a.m. Sunday, a patrol officer found two men in the parking lot of Al's Quality Cleaners, 202 Route 182. The officer approached the men and found a bottle of vodka, with some alcohol still inside, on the ground next to one of the males.
Nicholas Mcilwrath, 27, of Wayne, allegedly told the officer he was celebrating his release from the Morris County jail earlier that afternoon. Mcilwrath is charged with consumption of alcohol in a public area.
He was later released pending a court appearance.
Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.