East Hampton Village police made two felony arrests last week, one involving alleged drug possession, the other driving while intoxicated.
The first arrest came around 3 p.m. on July 16 when Officer Robert Greene discovered a 2012 Mercedes-Benz parked in a designated “no stopping” zone on Newtown Lane. Matthew Morenzi of Amityville, 32, was in the driver’s seat.
After searching police databases, Officer Greene reported finding an active suspension on Mr. Morenzi’s license. He then searched Mr. Morenzi’s pockets, according to the police report, finding seven small plastic bags containing a white substance. Mr. Morenzi reportedly identified the substance as ketamine, before adding that one of the bags might contain “blow,” meaning cocaine.
Officer Greene transported Mr. Morenzi to the East Hampton Village Police Department’s headquarters on Cedar Street, where police weighed the substance at 2.2 grams. The white powders tested positive for ketamine and cocaine, according to the charges. Mr. Morenzi waived his right to Miranda warnings and signed a written statement regarding the incident.
Police held Mr. Morenzi overnight to await his morning arraignment, at which East Hampton Town Justice David Filer released him without bond. Mr. Morenzi is scheduled to appear in East Hampton Town Justice Court on Aug. 28 at 10 a.m.
Two days later, on July 18 at around 7 in the evening, police arrested an East Hampton man on two felony charges related to driving while intoxicated. In addition to the felonies, police charged Eric Pettersen, 54, with five violations.
The incident began when police responded to a call about a man allegedly drinking an alcoholic beverage in a parked gray G.M.C. Envoy on Bruce Lane. Officer Robert Greene located the vehicle on Accabonac Road, traveling northbound with a “distorted” windshield, “unauthorized window stickers,” and an “unsafe tire,” according to the police report.
After stopping the car, Officer Greene reportedly found an open can of Budweiser inside. Officer Greene alleged that Mr. Pettersen had slurred speech, “bloodshot and glassy” eyes, and the odor of alcohol on his breath.
Mr. Pettersen reportedly said he had drunk a “couple glasses” the previous night. Officer Greene then conducted field sobriety tests, on which Mr. Pettersen reportedly “performed poorly.” Mr. Pettersen then consented to a chemical breath test, the result of which was redacted in police reports.
Officer Greene arrested Mr. Pettersen and transported him to police headquarters, where he awaited arraignment overnight. The following morning, East Hampton Town Justice Steven Tekulsky released Mr. Pettersen on his own recognizance.
Mr. Pettersen is scheduled to appear in justice court again on August 22 at 9 a.m.