Mahopac Man Faces Felony DWI Charges In Yorktown: Police

YORKTOWN, NY — A Mahopac man was accused of drunken driving after trying to get away from a police officer during a traffic stop.

The Yorktown Police Department said Andrew J. Magnotta, 49, of Mahopac, was charged April 22 driving while intoxicated, blood alcohol content 0.08 percent or more, one prior in the last 10 years; driving while intoxicated, one prior in the last 10 years, and first-degree aggravated unlicensed operator, felonies, and third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer, circumvention of an interlock device, second-degree obstructing governmental administration and reckless driving, misdemeanors.

Police said, around 9:30 a.m. April 22, an officer on routine patrol in the area of Route 6 and Country Place when he said she saw a car going east in the turning lane without attempting to turn.

A traffic stop was conducted in the parking lot of 1773 East Main St.

The officer spoke with Magnotta, who was the driver, and began walking back to his patrol car, when he said Magnotta put his car in reverse and drove away.

The officer pursued Magnotta east on Route 6. The man’s car almost struck an uninvolved vehicle at the intersection of Strawberry Road but then stopped at 1530 East Main St., police said.

It was found that Magnotta was driving while intoxicated, driving with a revoked New York driver’s license, which was for DWI, and had no interlock device installed in the car he was driving.

Magnotta was arrested and taken to the Yorktown Police Department for processing, where it was also found he had a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or more.

Police issued Magnotta uniform traffic tickets and an appearance ticket for the charges and was released to a responsible third party.

He is due to appear in Yorktown Justice Court Thursday.