DWI Arrests Soar in Kent

For years the greater Brewster- Southeast area has had the dubious distinction of being the DWI capital of Putnam County.

With five drunken driving arrests made by Kent Police last week, could the Lake Carmel-Kent area be far behind?

Kent cops rounded up the quintet in separate incidents within 24 hours of each other.

Lt. Alex DiVernieri said the first took place on Route 52 at 1:44am when Officer Kevin Radovich stopped a speeding car that crossed double yellow pavement markings. The driver, Lisa Simonsen, 49, of Kent, was arrested for DWI.

The following morning at 2am, Officer Radovich stopped a car that was being driven erratically on Route 52 and charged its driver with not only DWI but with aggravated unlicensed operation, unlawful possession of marijuana, and possessing an open container of alcohol inside a vehicle. Raymond Finney, 22, of Lake Carmel was processed at police headquarters.

Officer Alex Vanderwoude arrested Angel Erreyes, 22, of Danbury, for DWI and failing to use a turn signal after stopping his car on Route 52 in Lake Carmel at 2:30am. The Connecticut motorist posted $250 bail and was released to the custody of a relative.

Vanderwoude also arrested Richard Johnson, 57, of Kent, for DWI as well as aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle after stopping a vehicle that allegedly pulled out of the Hess Mart parking lot on Route 52 at Ludingtonville Road and failed to yield the right-of-way to an oncoming vehicle. Johnson was charged with drunken driving and when the officer conducted a computer check on the driver, he discovered that Johnson’s license had been previously suspended.

Officer Michael Crawford arrested James Agor, 50, of Lake Carmel, on charges of DWI following a personal injury crash that occurred on Lakeshore Drive in Lake Carmel.

Lt. DiVernieri said Agor was taken to Danbury Hospital for treatment of his injuries at which time blood was drawn indicating a blood alcohol content of .15 percent or nearly twice the legal threshold for intoxication.

Each of those arrested is due back in court next week to answer the charges.

—­Eric

Gross