July 4th sobriety checkpoint nets 14 arrests, Suffolk cops say

More than a dozen people started off their holiday weekend under arrest in Suffolk County after passing through a sobriety checkpoint in Port Jefferson, authorities said.

The checkpoint was set up at Route 112 and Hallock Avenue by the Suffolk County Police Highway Patrol Bureau and New York State Police from 11 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday.

Suffolk County police said 716 motorists went through the checkpoint and that there were 14 arrests. Police said included among the arrests were five for drunken driving, one for driving while ability impaired by drugs, one for driving while ability impaired by alcohol and drugs, one for criminal possession of a controlled substance and six for unlawful possession of marijuana.

The alleged offenders were given field appearance tickets and were scheduled to be arraigned on dates to be determined.

The checkpoint was conducted as part of an ongoing July Fourth holiday enforcement operation for the prevention of injuries and fatalities associated with driving while ability impaired by alcohol and drugs.