Patchogue Man Slapped With Felony Unlicensed Charge In Flanders

The following arrests were reported by the Southampton Town Police Department and New York State Troopers over the past week. A charge is an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Riverhead

• New York State Police arrested Tyler Madden, 18, of Manorville, on driving while ability impaired by drugs and marijuana possession charges on Oct. 17. According to state police, Madden was initially stopped on East Main Street in Riverhead for having illegally tinted windows. He was arrested and charged with DWAI, a misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation. He’s due to appear in Riverhead Town Court on Nov. 4.

Flanders

• James Bennett, Jr., 25, of Patchogue, was arrested in Flanders on Oct. 20 on a felony unlicensed operation charge and drunken driving. According to police, Bennett was driving a 2007 Chrysler on Flanders Road at around 5:30 a.m. when he was seen speeding and failing to maintain his lane. Bennett was stopped by police near Long Neck Boulevard. Police said they detected a strong odor of alcohol and that Bennett had slurred speech. Police also discovered Bennett was driving on a suspended license. He was arrested and charged with first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a felony, second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, DWI, also a misdemeanor, moving lanes unsafely and speeding, both violations.
• Fernando Hernandez-Reyes, 28, of Flanders was arrested in Flanders on Oct. 19, and charged with aggravated drunken driving. According to police, Hernandez-Reyes was driving a 1997 Mitsubishi southbound on Route 24 at around 1 a.m. without his headlights and failed to make a right turn signal when he turned onto Oak Avenue. Police stopped him and discovered that he was intoxicated. After searching Hernandez-Reyes during his arrest on a DWI charge, police said they uncovered a small quantity of cocaine. He was transported to police headquarters, where his blood alcohol was reportedly .18, which is why he was charged with aggravated DWI, a misdemeanor. Hernandez-Reyes was also charged with DWI and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree, both misdemeanors as well as turning without a signal and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, both violations.

Riverside

• Margarito Morales, 35, of Riverhead, was arrested in Riverside on Oct. 20 on a felony drunken driving charge. According to police, Morales was driving a 1998 Pontiac on Maynard Street at around 1:45 a.m. when he was observed swerving lanes and driving on the shoulder of the road. He also failed to make a left turn signal and was stopped on Lake Avenue. Police said he had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and was unsteady on his feet. He performed poorly on a field sobriety test, but refused to take a breathalyzer. He was arrested and charged with aggravated DWI and DWI, both misdemeanors. He is also charged with refusing to submit to a test, improper turning, failing to maintain a lane, moving lanes unsafely and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, all violations.