Convicted Nassau County DWI Offenders Arrested Again For Driving Without Ignition Interlocks
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - More than two dozen convicted drunk drivers in Nassau County were busted for illegally driving a car to meet with their probation officers.
The Nassau County District Attorney's office announced the arrests of 25 convicted drunk drivers during a two-week sweep.
WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reports
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DWI offenders in Nassau are only allowed to operate a vehicle with a required ignition interlock device installed.
The Nassau DA said the 25 men and women stood in front of the judge and claimed they did not own cars or didn't drive, but they lied.
1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reports
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"We caught them, we arrested them and they will be prosecuted," DA Kathleen Rice told reporters including WCBS 880's Sophia Hall.
More than 100 convicted drunk drivers were monitored by video surveillance on their way to their probation officers.
Most of the DWI offenders took public transportation or were given rides, according to the DA's office. But these 25, the DA said, drove cars illegally.
"Some parked at local businesses and walked the remaining distance...to disguise their path but it didn't work," Rice said. "What they were doing was driving anyway or changing the registration, putting it into the name of someone else, or simply driving someone else's car," she said.
The ignition interlock device requires the driver to take a breathalyzer test to prove they are not under the influence before the car will start.
The 25 face up to one year behind bars, if convicted.
Last summer, a similar sting led to the arrests of 22 convicted drunk drivers.
Meantime, Nassau officials announced beefed up DWI patrols across the county for Labor Day weekend.
"There will be additional police patrols all around Nassau County and chances are if you drive drunk this weekend, you will be arrested," Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano said in a news release announcing the extra patrols.
Over Labor Day weekend 2011, Nassau police made 54 DWI arrests.
Officials remind people to select a designated driver or take public transportation or taxi cabs, and always wear a seatbelt.
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