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I’m Not Going to Pass the Test’

Thu, 05/23/2019 - 07:22



East Hampton Town police arrested two 23-year-olds on drunken-driving charges over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Both were said to have cooperated fully with the officers.

Carlos Serra-Bencosme of Montauk was pulled over on Edgemere Road there early Monday morning. Police said his 2014 Kia was swerving across lane lines.

“I’m not gonna lie. I had like, four beers,” the officer quoted the driver as saying. At police headquarters in Wainscott he consented to take the breath test, which produced a reading of .14 of 1 percent. A reading of .08 is the legal limit.

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Mr. Serra-Bencosme has lived in the Town of East Hampton for nine years and is a legal resident of the United States.

“You were driving when you weren’t supposed to,” Justice Steven Tekulsky told him at his arraignment that morning, noting that the defendant’s license had been suspended twice for failure to respond to a court summons. In addition to drunken driving he was charged with aggravated unlicensed driving and having an open container of an alcoholic beverage in the car, along with the traffic infraction.

Friends and family were in the courtroom for his arraignment, and quickly posted at the court clerk’s window the $250 bail amount set by Justice Tekulsky.

Wendy Quintero of East Hampton was arrested at about 6:30 Sunday morning, outside an Oakview Highway residence. Police had received a call about a suspicious vehicle, and said they found Ms. Quintero passed out behind the wheel of a 2011 Chevrolet, the engine running.

“I drove here from Amagansett,” she told the arresting officer. “If you are going to arrest me, just arrest me. I know I’m not going to pass the test.”

At headquarters, police said her blood-alcohol content tested at .12. She was released without bail that afternoon, with a future date in court.

 

A Correction

In an article on the arrest of Jacqueline and Jason Cobb by East Hampton Town Police on Nov. 18 on grand larceny charges, it was incorrectly stated that they live in Calverton. Mr. Cobb moved to Calverton several weeks ago. Ms. Cobb lives in Springs.

 

 

 

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