First Holiday Weekend DWI Reported

Sergio Gatica, 24, of Greenport, earned the dubious distinction of being the first driver to be accused of driving while intoxicated on the North Fork over the holiday weekend. Police officials noted, however, that the paperwork for the weekend has not yet been completed.

Gatica was spotted in Greenport along Moore’s Lane shorty before 2 AM on Saturday, July 6. Police were already looking for him because a caller complained Gatica had driven into her vehicle, then drove away without exchanging IDs. Police said they canvassed the scene and found Gatica, who was parked on Front Street, and determined he had been drinking excessively.

Founders Village in Southold was ransacked overnight on July 3 and 4. There were 16 reports of criminal tampering, police said, as thieves broke into dwellings, buildings, and parked vehicles. There were five reports of stolen items.

A Southold woman reported nearly $1000 worth of property stolen, including glasses valued at $700. The woman also said a pair of binoculars valued at $50 was stolen, as well as ferry tickets valued at $180. Another resident reported $450 worth of property was either removed or damaged from her vehicle on Youngs Avenue. A $100 cup holder was broken, according to reports. A Southold man reported a $100 jump-starter pack was stolen from his vehicle.

There were also several arrests for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Mario Hernandez-Almaraz, 51, of Selden, was one. He was arrested on Middle Country Road in Calverton the morning of Saturday, July 6, after being pulled over for a minor infraction. Upon further investigation, police found he had a revoked license due to a DWI conviction in 2015.

Under law, the driver was required to have an interlock device installed in the vehicle. Police reports said the device was not installed. That was enough to earn a trip to HQ and an arraignment at the courthouse. He’ll answer the charges later this month.

He was transported to police headquarters to be processed and was later released on bail and given an appearance ticket for a later court date.

Shelter Island Police charged a Greenwich, CT man with DWI on July 5. They said Emil Kratzman, 57, was pulled over because of an equipment violation and it was determined he had been drinking too much. He was arraigned and released on his own recognizance.

Riverhead Police said an unidentified man died when his truck left the roadway on Route 105 in the early morning July 2. A witness notified police of a “white, mid-sized pickup truck . . . in the wooded area.” Emergency personnel responded but the driver was deemed deceased, though the official pronouncement was made at Peconic Bay Medical Center. No further information has been released as of press time.

rmurphy@indyeastend.com