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EASTCHESTER, N.Y. – The Eastchester police arrested two intoxicated drivers in the early hours of Friday morning as part of the statewide STOP DWI program,
Tashi J. Thompson, 18, was stopped at a safety checkpoint shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Labelle Road when officers detected the scent of marijuana coming from the vehicle during the traffic stop. The Bronx native failed field sobriety tests and admitted to officers that he used the drug earlier that night, Eastchester Police Lt. Robert Jensen said.
Thompson was arrested and charged with driving while ability impaired, a misdemeanor, and endangering the welfare of a child, a felony under Leandra’s Law, because he had a 15-year-old passenger in the vehicle. The driver was arrested and released on his own recognizance to his stepfather.
Approximately three hours later, officers stopped Eastchester resident Frank Casatelli, 25, on Post Road after a roving patrol spotted his car speeding. The vehicle’s registration was expired, and the driver appeared to be under the influence, according to Det. Sgt. Matthew Kiernan, who supervised the task force.
After failing standard field sobriety tests, Casatelli was arrested and charged with driving under the influence. Upon a search of his vehicle, police said they found three throwing daggers, and additionally charged him with a weapon possession charge. He was released on his own recognizance to his parents.
“I think it was a successful program. We made two arrests,” Kiernan said. “This is a statewide program, and the other municipalities that participated – New Rochelle and Mount Vernon – also made multiple arrests.”
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