Police Arrest Four People at DWI Checkpoint

Portsmouth Police arrested four people at a sobriety checkpoint on Middle Street Friday night where they screened 179 drivers.

Portsmouth Police Capt. Frank Warhol said the sobriety checkpoint was conducted on Middle Street near Middle Road and was authorized by the Rockingham County Superior Court. It was conducted between 10 a.m. and 2 a.m. Members of the Portsmouth Police Explorer Post also assisted the operation.

The following people were arrested:

• James Favara, 56, of 4 Gray Court in Rye Beach was charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor.
• Samantha Bloom, 21, of 551 Greenland Road in Portsmouth was charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor.
• Jaime Gray, 23, of 45 Cable Road in Rye was charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor.
• Rita Dennison, 29, of 42 Beechstone, Apt. 5, in Portsmouth was charged with possession of a controlled drug and transporting a controlled drug in a motor vehicle, both misdemeanors.

All four were released on personal recognizance bail. Favara, Bloom and Gray are scheduled to be arraigned in the Portsmouth Circuit Court on June 3. Dennison is scheduled to be arraigned on June 17, according to Warhol.