An Aquebogue man is accused of drunk and reckless driving while leading police on a car chase through downtown Riverhead early this morning.
Craig Stapon, 23, was charged by Riverhead Police with driving while intoxicated and reckless driving and was arraigned Friday morning before Judge Richard Ehlers in Riverhead Justice Court.
According to charges read at his arraignment, Stapon failed to use a turn signal, failed to stop for a posted stop sign in the vicinity of East Second Street and Union Avenue, made numerous improper turns, drove the wrong way down a one-way street and drove with screeching tires as police gave chase.
Stapon was arrested on Roanoke Avenue at about 1:45 a.m., according to police.
Stapon’s lawyer, Annette Totten, said she has known the defendant for a long time and he has no previous criminal history.
“Last night was a bad judgement call,” Totten told the court. “It must have been the alcohol,” she said.
Stapon’s blood alcohol content was .08 percent, according to the arrest report.
His bail was set at $1,000 and he is scheduled to return to court on Tuesday.
Editor’s note: A criminal charge is an accusation. By law, a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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