Crime & Safety
Man Arrested After Speeding To Avoid Officer: Police
He was reported for reckless and erratic driving on Montauk Highway Saturday night, police say.
![Police had to discontinue the pursuit due to safety reasons, authorities said.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/1296254/20240422/045422/styles/patch_image/public/policelightswhitecarnight___22164415189.jpg)
SAGAPONACK, NY — A Nesconset man was arrested Saturday night after he tried to evade authorities at a high rate of speed in Sagaponack and headed to East Hampton, authorities said.
According to Southampton Town police, the incident took place at 7 p.m., when a report came in about a "reckless, erratic" driver heading east on Montauk Highway in Sagaponack, police said.
A patrol officer spotted William Barbera, 21, speeding and passing vehicles unlawfully, and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, police said.
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Barbera failed to comply and continued eastbound, still at a high rate of speed and operating recklessly; ultimately, the officer discontinued the pursuit for safety reasons, police said.
A short while later, the vehicle was located by East Hampton Town Police and Barbera was arrested on unrelated charges in that jurisdiction, police said.
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While in custody at East Hampton Town Police headquarters, Barbera was identified reference to the incident in Sagaponack and, following an investigation, he was arrested and charged with third-degree unlawfully fleeing a police in a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor; reckless driving, a misdemeanor; and several other traffic violations, police said.
Barbera was released on an appearance ticket for court at a later date, police said.
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