Skip to main content

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.

 

 

 

Sentenced in P.T.A. Theft

Hope Livingston, a former Sag Harbor P.T.A. treasurer, was sentenced to five years of probation and restitution after pleading guilty to third-degree grand larceny and agreeing to a plea deal with county prosecutors. 

Oct 8, 2026

Brooklyn Woman Now in Double Trouble

A woman who is already in legal hot water with East Hampton Village seems to have found herself in more of it after a new arrest last Thursday.

Oct 8, 2026

Second Guilty Plea in Building Department Bribery Case

Ryan Benitez, a former East Hampton Town building inspector, admitted Thursday to accepting bribes in exchange for expediting building permits and certificates of occupancy in 2024 and early 2025.

Oct 1, 2026

Former Building Department Employee Pleads Guilty to Taking Bribes

Six months after her arrest, Evelyn Calderon, formerly of the East Hampton Town Building Department, took a deal in a Riverhead court Wednesday, pleading guilty to 10 counts of bribery and official misconduct. She was sentenced to 840 hours of community service, five years of probation, and a $29,200 fine. 

Oct 1, 2026

 

Your support for The East Hampton Star helps us deliver the news, arts, and community information you need. Whether you are an online subscriber, get the paper in the mail, delivered to your door in Manhattan, or are just passing through, every reader counts. We value you for being part of The Star family.

Your subscription to The Star does more than get you great arts, news, sports, and outdoors stories. It makes everything we do possible.