Thirty-Seven Suspensions

A Mastic Beach man whose driver’s license has been suspended or revoked 37 times over the past 13 years was charged last Thursday night with felony unlicensed driving, following a traffic stop on Three Mile Harbor Road in East Hampton.



East Hampton Town police pulled Gilberto R. Sarmiento over after spotting a broken brake light on his 1998 Nissan. Mr. Sarmiento handed over his passport in lieu of a license, and when the officer ran his information through the computer he discovered the long list of suspensions, mostly for failure to pay fees and fines. Over the years, police said, Mr. Sarmiento has failed to appear in court 11 times in answer to the various citations.



In New York State, driving without a license after more than 10 suspensions can be charged at the felony level. In court the next morning, East Hampton Town Justice Steven Tekulsky waded through Mr. Sarmiento’s complex history, then set bail at $5,000.



“Are you going to be able to make that bail?” Justice Tekulsky asked. Told yes, he set the man’s return date for yesterday.



This time, with a substantial sum at risk, Mr. Sarmiento did show up in court. His case was adjourned to July 30.



In Sag Harbor last week, village police arrested a Bethlehem, Pa., man on a charge of criminal mischief. Shortly before midnight Saturday, police said, Vasileios Christou tried to take an American flag off its pole on Bay Street. The pole was damaged, and Mr. Christou, who later told police he wanted to wear the flag on his back, was arrested.



He was released from Division Street headquarters after posting $50 bail, and has a future date in Sag Harbor Village Court.