Cops: Trio Smoked Pot In Public Parking Lot

East Quogue

• A Speonk teenager was arrested on Jan. 18, charged with obstructing an investigation into a late-night party in East Quogue. According to police, the 18-year-old defendant was at a party with underage drinking on Viking Lane when police arrived shortly after midnight to investigate. Police said during the investigation, the teenager, who was highly intoxicated, confronted the officer and shoved her. He was arrested on the spot and charged with obstructing government administration in the second-degree, a misdemeanor and second-degree harassment, a violation.

Hampton Bays

• A Hampton Bays man was arrested last week on felony criminal contempt charges after he allegedly violated a court order of protection. According to police, Franco Salto was arrested on Jan. 13 at around 9:45 p.m. at a residence on East Tiana Road. Police said Salto threatened a person who was under a court order of protection from Salto. The defendant was brought to Town of Southampton Police Headquarters and charged with first-degree criminal contempt, a class E felony and second-degree harassment, a violation.

• A Mastic man, a Quogue man and a Hampton Bays woman were all arrested on marijuana charges in Hampton Bays on Jan. 19. According to police the three defendants were all observed smoking pot inside a 2008 Honda Accord, which was parked in the lot of the Shinnecock Bay Fishing Station on Shinnecock Road shortly after midnight. The defendants, all 29-years-old, were arrested and charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor. The woman was additionally charged with having an open container of alcohol in the car, a violation.

Riverside

• An East Meadow man was arrested in Riverside on Jan. 18, accused of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol with a child in the car. According to police, Jacob Riehl, 23, was driving a 2008 Scion south on Route 24 near Red Creek Road at around 1:15 a.m. when he was stopped for having his high beams on. Police said when they approached the vehicle they discovered an odor of marijuana emanating from it. Riehl then failed a field sobriety test and police found a small amount of marijuana in his possession. When police questioned the passengers, they found one of Riehl’s passengers was under 15 years old. Riehl was arrested and charged with aggravated DWI under Leandra’s Law, a felony, DWI and endangering the welfare of a child, both misdemeanors, failure to dim headlights, having an obstructed view, failure to wear a seatbelt, and unlawful possession of marijuana, all violations.

• Werner Lopez, 34, of Riverside was arrested on a drunken driving charge on Jan. 19. According to police Lopez was driving a 2000 Dodge Caravan at around 5:45 p.m. when he entered the traffic circle near the Valero gas station. A Southampton Town police officer happened to be parked at the Valero when he heard a collision on the other side of the circle. When police investigated, they found Lopez to be highly intoxicated. He was arrested and brought to headquarters for processing. While in custody, police said Lopez’s intoxicated condition was so severe he needed to be transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment. He is being charged with DWI and false impersonation, both misdemeanors.  

• A 27-year-old homeless woman was arrested on Jan. 15 on drug charges after police approached her for questioning. According to police the woman was observed near the intersection of Pine Street and Route 104 in Riverside at around 2:45 p.m. “acting in a suspicious manner.” When police questioned the woman, they noticed an odor of marijuana emanating from her. Police said the 27-year-old admitted to having pot in her bag. When searched, police discovered the marijuana as well as a small amount of powdered heroin. She was arrested and charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor, as well as unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation.