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Sobriety Checkpoint Nets Five Motorists On DUI Charges

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Sobriety Checkpoint Nets Five Motorists On DUI Charges

At a sobriety checkpoint held last weekend at Fairfield Hills, police arrested five motorists on drunken driving charges, marking the most productive such law enforcement event in years.

Eleven police officers set up the checkpoint on Wasserman Way, near its intersection with Trades Lane. The checkpoint ran from 8 pm Saturday, August 27, to 2:30 am Sunday, August 28, said police Sergeant Christopher Vanghele.

During the checkpoint, police stopped an estimated 500 vehicles that were traveling through the area. During such stops, police interview motorists to determine whether they have been using alcohol and/or drugs.

At about 9:45 pm August 27, police stopped motorist Stephen Lescrynski, 58, of New Milford for an interview. Police said they gave Lescrynski field sobriety tests, after which they charged him with driving under the influence, driving while under suspension, and failure to return a suspended license to the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

After processing Lescrynski’s arrest at the police station, police released him on $500 bail for a September 13 appearance in Danbury Superior Court.

At about 10:23 pm, police report they stopped a 2003 Lexus LS-430 being driven eastward on Wasserman Way by John Soto, 72, of Woodbridge.

Soto failed field sobriety tests, so he was charged with driving under the influence, police said.

After arrest processing, police released Soto on $500 bail for a September 9 court appearance.

At 11:43 pm, police pulled over motorist Thomas Verchinski, 59, of Southington who had been driving eastward on Wasserman Way.

Police said Verchinski failed field sobriety testing, after which they charged him with driving under the influence.

Police released Verchinski on $100 bail for a September 13 court appearance.

At 11:47 pm, police stopped motorist Pio Romero, 38, of Bridgeport as part of the checkpoint.

Police said they investigated and charged Romero with driving under the influence. Police released Romero on $100 bail for a September 13 court appearance.

At about 11:50 pm, police pulled over motorist Sumalee Khornsarnoy, 23, of Danbury, after which she was interviewed and given field sobriety tests.

Police charged Khornsarnoy with driving under the influence. Police released her on $100 bail for a September 13 court appearance.

Besides the five drunken driving arrests, police issued three infraction tickets and gave 19 warnings to motorists for various offenses, according to Sgt Vanghele.

A majority of the overtime pay that police receive to work at such checkpoints is covered with funds from a state public safety grant.

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