Troop C DWI arrests July 5 - July 14, 2024

Press Release

On July 5, 2024, at approximately 2:35 p.m., New York State Police at Sidney arrested Edward C. Sherman, age 70 of Bainbridge, NY for the misdemeanor of Driving While Intoxicated. Troopers observed Sherman at Smileys Gas Station on N. Main Street in Bainbridge at a gas pump with a farm tractor. While talking to Sherman, a Trooper smelled an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath. After performing poorly on Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, Sherman was arrested. He was processed and issued appearance tickets to the Bainbridge Town Court on August 6, 2024.

On July 5, 2024, at approximately 6:06 p.m., New York State Police at Margaretville arrested Dale Kowatch, age 53 of Margaretville, NY for the felonies of Driving While Intoxicated (with a previous conviction within 10 years) and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation. A Trooper on State Highway 28 observed a vehicle cross over the solid double yellow line into opposing traffic then along the shoulder of the road. The Trooper initiated a traffic stop on Hornbeck Street. While interviewing Kowatch, the Trooper observed characteristics commonly associated with alcohol impairment. After Standardized Field Sobriety Tests indicated signs of intoxication, Kowatch was arrested. He was processed and issued appearance tickets to the Middletown Town Court on July 23, 2024, then released to a sober third party.

On July 5, 2024, at approximately 10:01 p.m., New York State Police at Margaretville arrested Joseph Donnelly, age 44 of Denver, NY for the misdemeanor of Driving While Intoxicated. Troopers and Roxbury Fire Police were dispatched to a one-vehicle crash on Vega Mountain Road in Denver. They located a pick-up truck in the ditched rolled over but no occupants inside. They located Donnelly at his residence and observed characteristics associated with impairment. After performing Standardized Field Sobriety Test poorly, Donnelly was arrested. His reportable B.A.C was .12%. Donnelly was issued appearance tickets to the Roxbury Town Court on August 7, 2024, then released to a sober third party.

On July 6, 2024, at approximately 1:42 a.m., New York State Police at Sidney arrested Alvaro Parra Hincapie, age 56 of Oneonta, NY for the felony of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the first degree and the misdemeanor of Driving While Intoxicated. Troopers on Chestnut Street in Oneonta observed a vehicle with vehicle and traffic infractions and initiated a traffic stop. While interviewing Parra Hincapie, Troopers observed impairment. After Standardized Field Sobriety Tests were indicative of impairment, Parra Hincapie was arrested. His reportable B.A.C was .09%. Parra Hincapie was processed and released on appearance tickets to the Oneonta City Court on August 14, 2024, then turned over to a sober third party.

On July 6, 2024, at approximately 2:12 a.m., New York State Police at Sidney arrested Donald C. Boecke, age 42 of Oneonta, NY for the misdemeanor of Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. Troopers initiated a traffic stop after observing a vehicle speeding and failing to maintain a lane on State Highway 7 in Unadilla. Troopers initiated a traffic stop and observed characteristics associated with impairment. After performing Standardized Field Sobriety Tests poorly, Boecke was arrested. He processed and issued appearance tickets to the Unadilla Town Court on July 16, 2024.

On July 6, 2024, at approximately 4:17 a.m., New York State Police at Sidney arrested William Vandermark, age 62 pf Binghamton, NY for misdemeanor of Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. Troopers on County Road 38 in Bainbridge observed a vehicle crossing the solid double yellow line into the opposite lane of travel on several occasions. A traffic stop was initiated and troopers observed characteristics associated with impairment. After performing Standardized Field Sobriety Tests poorly, Vandermark was arrested. He was processed and issued appearance tickets to the Bainbridge Town Court on August 19, 2024, then turned over to a sober third party.

On July 6, 2024, at approximately 6:33 p.m., New York State Police at Margaretville arrested Andrew C. Hefelfinger, age 40 of New York, NY for the misdemeanor of Driving While Intoxicated. Troopers were dispatched to a report of a one-vehicle crash on Hog Mountain Circle Road in Fleischmanns. Troopers located a vehicle on its passenger side facing down with the roof against a tree. The tree was across the road and blocking the roadway. Troopers located Hefelfinger walking around and also observed characteristics associated with impairment. After an investigation, Hefelfinger was arrested. He was processed and issued appearance tickets to the Middletown Court on July 25, 2024.

On July 6, 2024, at approximately 11:59 p.m., New York State Police at Owego arrested Lance Bogart, age 45 of Barton, NY for the misdemeanors of Driving While Intoxicated and Unlawfully Fleeing an Officer in a Motor Vehicle. Troopers observed a vehicle with vehicle and traffic infractions while at Dandy in Nichols then observed further vehicle and traffic violations while on West River Road and State Route 282. Troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop but the operator did not stop then accelerated the vehicle and failed to stop at a stop sign and continued making vehicle and traffic violations while accelerating in an attempt to avoid the Troopers. The vehicle ultimately lost control on Depew Road, where it struck a ditch and overturned. The Troopers observed the operator across the passenger seat unconscious and removed him from the vehicle. He regained consciousness while Troopers were awaiting EMS and they were able to identify him as Bogart. Troopers were able to determine that Bogart displayed characteristics associated with alcohol impairment. He was transported by Tioga Center EMS to Robert Packer Hospital in Pennsylvania. After he was checked out from the hospital and released, he was processed by Troopers. Bogart was issued appearance tickets to the Tioga Town Court and is scheduled to appear on August 14, 2024.

On July 7, 2024, at approximately 2:49 a.m., New York State Police at Margaretville arrested Vitalii Tryhubenko, age 35 of Brooklyn, NY for the misdemeanor of Driving While Intoxicated. Troopers observed a vehicle travel into the opposite lane of travel on Main Street and were able to initiate a traffic stop on State Highway 28 in Margaretville. Troopers smelled an odor of an alcoholic beverage and other characteristics associated with impairment. After performing Standardized Field Sobriety Tests poorly, Tryhubenko was arrested. His reportable B.A.C was .14%. Tryhubenko was issued appearance tickets to the Middletown Town Court on July 30, 2024, then turned over to a sober third party.

On July 7, 2024, at approximately 6:10 p.m., New York State Police at Sidney arrested Alan Moore, age 42 of Sidney, NY for the misdemeanor of Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. A Trooper on Fox Street in the village of Sidney observed a vehicle and traffic violation and initiated a traffic stop. While interviewing Moore, the Trooper observed impairment that would hinder his ability to operate a motor vehicle. After performing Standardized Field Sobriety Tests poorly, Moore was arrested. He was processed and issued appearance tickets to the Sidney Village Court on August 13, 2024, then turned over to a sober third party.

On July 8, 2024, at approximately 12:01 a.m., New York State Police at Margaretville arrested Jose Martinez, age 34 of Arkville, NY for the misdemeanor of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated. Troopers on State Highway 28 in Margaretville observed a vehicle traveling at a slow speed and unable to maintain a lane. A traffic stop was initiated, and Troopers observed characteristics commonly associated with alcohol impairment. After performing Standardized Field Sobriety Tests poorly, Martinez was arrested. His reportable B.A.C was .30%. He was processed and issued appearance tickets to the Middletown Town Court on July 30, 2024, then released to the care of a sober third party.

On July 8, 2024, at approximately 3:56 a.m., New York State Police at Endwell arrested Christopher A. Whitney age 42, of Endicott, NY for the misdemeanor of Driving While Intoxicated. A Trooper initiated a traffic stop after observing a vehicle speeding while on State Route 17 in the town of Union. While interviewing Whitney, the Trooper smelled an odor of an alcoholic beverage. After failing Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, Whitney was arrested. His reportable B.A.C was .11%. Whitney was issued appearance tickets to the Union Town Court on July 30, 2024, then turned over to a sober third party.

On July 8, 2024, at approximately 9:30 a.m., New York State Police at Stamford arrested Heath Snyder, age 46 of Jefferson, NY for the misdemeanor of Driving While Intoxicated. Troopers on State Highway 23 in Stamford observed a vehicle speeding and initiated a traffic stop. While interviewing Snyder, Troopers observed characteristics associated with impairment. After performing Standardized Field Sobriety Tests poorly, Snyder was arrested. His reportable B.A.C was .08%. Snyder was issued appearance tickets to the Stamford Town Court on August 12, 2024, then turned over to a sober third party.

On July 8, 2024, at approximately 1:00 p.m., New York State Police at Gateway arrested Ellen M. Ely, age 68 of Montrose, PA for the misdemeanor of Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. Ely entered a stationary Seatbelt Checkpoint on Cedarhurst Road in Kirkwood when a Trooper observed characteristics associated with impairment. After performing Standardized Field Sobriety Tests poorly, Ely was arrested. She was issued appearance tickets to the Kirkwood Town Court on July 17, 2024, then released to a sober third party.

On July 8, 2024, at approximately 11:17 p.m., New York State Police at Oneonta arrested Christopher Toothaker, age 52 of North Potomac, MD for the misdemeanor of Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. While on State Highway 23 in Davenport, a Trooper observed a vehicle with its four-ways on and when to check on the driver. While interviewing Toothaker, the Trooper observed characteristics associated with impairment. After an investigation, Toothaker was arrested. He was additionally evaluated by a New York State Police Drug Recognition Expert. Toothaker was processed and issued appearance tickets to the Davenport Town Court on August 13, 2024.

On July 12, 2024, at approximately 9:15 p.m., New York State Police at Oneonta arrested David A. Swantak, age 45 of Otego, NY for the misdemeanor of Driving While Intoxicated. Swantak entered a DWI Checkpoint on Main Street in Oneonta when a Trooper observed an open container of an alcoholic beverage in his cup holder. The Trooper also observed characteristics associated with impairment. Swantak performed Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, which confirmed impairment. He was arrested. Swantak's reportable B.A.C was .09%. Swantak was issued appearance tickets to the Oneonta Town Court on August 22, 2024, then turned over to a sober third party.

On July 12, 2024, at approximately 9:40 p.m., New York State Police at Sidney arrested Tyler A. Iannolo, age 33 of Oneonta, NY for the misdemeanor of Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. Iannolo entered a DWI Checkpoint on Main Stret in Oneonta when a Trooper observed characteristics associated with impairment. Iannolo performed Standardized Field Sobriety Tests poorly and was arrested. He was issued appearance tickets to the Oneonta Town Court on August 6, 2024, then turned over to a sober third party.

On July 12, 2024, at approximately 10:33 p.m., New York State Police at Richfield Springs arrested George R. Lougee, age 26 of Oneonta, NY for the misdemeanor of Driving While Intoxicated. Troopers working a DWI Checkpoint on Main Street in Oneonta a Trooper observed a vehicle make an abrupt u-turn and turn onto State Highway 28. A traffic stop was made on County Road 48. While interview Lougee, the Trooper observed characteristics associated with impairment. After performing Standardized Field Sobriety Tests poorly, Lougee was arrested. His reportable B.A.C was .10%. He was processed and issued appearance tickets to the Oneonta Town Court on August 8, 2024.

On July 12, 2024, at approximately 10:34 p.m., New York State Police at Sidney arrested Nicholas J. Doran, age 33 of Oneonta, NY for the misdemeanor of Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. While conducting a DWI Checkpoint on Main Street in Oneonta, a Trooper observed a vehicle make an illegal u-turn in an attempt to evade entering the checkpoint. The vehicle was stopped and the Trooper observed characteristics associated with impairment. After performing Standardized Field Sobriety Tests poorly, Doran was arrested. He was processed and issued appearance tickets to the Oneonta Town Court on September 5, 2024, then turned over to a sober third party.

On July 13, 2024, at approximately 4:04 a.m., New York State Police at Endwell arrested Shannon L. Ellsworth, age 38 of Endicott, NY for the felony of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the first degree and the misdemeanor of Driving While Intoxicated. Troopers on East Main Street in Endicott observed a vehicle speeding and other vehicle and traffic infractions. While interviewing Ellsworth, a Trooper smelled an odor of an alcoholic beverage and other characteristics associated with impairment. After performing Standardized Field Sobriety Test poorly, Ellsworth was arrested. Her reportable B.A.C was .11%. Trooper additionally learned that Ellsworth's licensed is suspended. She was processed and turned over to the Broome County Correctional Facility for Centralized Arraignment.

On July 13, 2024, at approximately 7:19 p.m., New York State Police at Sidney arrested Erica M. Miller, age 44 of Unadilla, NY for the misdemeanor of Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. Troopers were dispatched to the Speedway at State Routes 7 and 8 in Unadilla for a report of a female passed out inside a vehicle while at the pumps. Troopers then observed the described vehicle traveling on State Highway 7 and saw the vehicle cross over the solid double yellow center lines and also observed other vehicle and traffic infractions. While interviewing Miller, Troopers observed characteristics associated with impairment. After performing Standardized Field Sobriety Tests poorly, Miller was arrested. She was transported to SP Sidney where she was processed and issued appearance tickets to the Unadilla Town Court on August 20. 2024, then turned over to a sober third party.

On July 14, 2024, at approximately 12:16 a.m., New York State Police at Margaretville arrested Joann Bartley, age 60 of Margaretville, NY for the misdemeanor of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated. Troopers observed a vehicle make vehicle and traffic infractions while at the intersection of State Highway 28 and County Road 38 in Middletown and initiated a traffic stop. While interviewing Bartley, Troopers observed characteristics associated with impairment. Bartley was asked to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, which were indicative of intoxication. Bartley was arrested. Her reportable B.A.C was .24%. She was issued appearance tickets to the Middletown Town Court on August 6, 2024, then turned over to a sober third party.

On July 14, 2024, at approximately 1:43 a.m., New York State Police at Ithaca arrested Gabrielle A. Nickerson, age 43 of Marcellus, NY for the misdemeanor of Driving While Intoxicated. Troopers on Dryden Road observed a vehicle and traffic infraction and initiated a traffic stop on Johnson Road in Freeville. While interviewing Nickerson, Troopers smelled an odor of an alcoholic beverage and other characteristics associated with impairment. After performing Standardized Field Sobriety Tests poorly, Nickerson was arrested. Her reportable B.A.C was .08%. Nickerson was processed and issued appearance tickets to the Dryden Town Court on August 14, 2024, the released to a sober third party.