NY Fugitive Found Asleep At The Wheel In Greenwich, Cops Say

GREENWICH, CT — A 31-year-old West Islip, NY man, wanted by authorities on forgery charges, was found asleep at the wheel of his vehicle last week in a travel lane on Sound Shore Drive in Greenwich, according to Greenwich police.

Matthew V. Amato, who was wanted by Suffolk County, NY law enforcement on an active extraditable warrant, was found by an officer on patrol at about 6:15 a.m. on April 25. Amato's vehicle, a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee, was positioned in such a fashion that it was a potential hazard to other motorists, police said.

While speaking with Amato, officers learned of the warrant and placed him under arrest as a fugitive from justice. The two forgery charges were for second and third degree forgery, according to police.

Amato was held in lieu of bail of $500,000, and he is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on May 9. Information on his potential extradition was not available.