5 Charged In East End DWI Task Force Sweep: Police

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Five individuals were arrested during a Memorial Day weekend DWI Task Force sweep on the East End, police said.

According to Southampton Town Police, one segment of Suffolk County District Attorney's Office East End DWI Task Force took place from Saturday at 8 p.m. until Sunday at 4 a.m., with task force members from Southampton Town, Southampton Village and East Hampton Town Police participating.

A roadside checkpoint was set up on Flanders Road at Enterprise Zone Drive in Riverside from 9:07 p.m. to 11:28 p.m.; during that time 306 vehicles entered the checkpoint, police said.

Drivers were screened, resulting in one driving while intoxicated charge; one driving while ability impaired/drugs charge; one third degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle charge; and two unlawful possession of marijuana charges, police said.

After 11:28 p.m., saturation patrols were utilized throughout town, and another 32 vehicles were screened, resulting in an additional arrest and charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance / third degree aggravated unlicensed operation charge, police said.

Those arrested, police said, include:

At the checkpoint:

- Patrick Coonradte, 50, of Hampton Bays was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, police said.

- Mauro G. Chunchi, 32, of Flanders, was arrested and charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, police said.

During saturation patrols:

Jevohni K. Brown, 26, of Flanders, was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, cocaine, and third degree aggravated unlicensed operation, police said.

All of those arrested were processed at Southampton Town Police Headquarters and held for a morning arraignment, police said.

No vehicle crashes involving injuries were reported in Southampton Town during the DWI Task Force enforcement detail, police said.

"Southampton Town Police would like to thank all of the designated drivers and those who did drink and chose not to drive for helping make this holiday weekend safer upon Southampton Town roadways," police said.