Checkpoint Leads To DWI Arrests

The Rockland County Sheriff's Office and the Ramapo Police Department conducted a joint DWI road check over the weekend, leading to several arrests for drunken drving - including one in which a Suffern man is accused of a felony becasue there were two children in the car, police said.

The road check along Route 59 was sponsored by the STOP DWI Program and the STOP DWI Command Van was utilized. In addition to the DWI arrests Saturday night, one other person was charged with driving with  a  suspended license and one arrest was made for possession of marijuana.

Maryeceo Martinez, 25, of Suffern,  was charged with felony aggravated DWI. The Sheriff's Department said Martinez was accused under the provisions of  "Leandra's Law," enacted by New York in December 2009 in reaction to DWI incidents in which children were passengers. The law gives police the authority to charge a suspected drunken driving with a felony if a child under age 15 is in the car.

There were two children, ages 2 and 6, in Martinez's car, police said.

Police said Martinez is also accused of endangering the welfare of a minor. Police said Martinez was being held in the county jail in New City on $5,000 bail in connection with numerous summonses - including for driving without a license - and a detainer from Immigration Customers Enforcement.

Martinez is the third person charged under Leandra's Law since it was enacted, according to the Rockland County District Attorney's Office. The other two cases have not yet gone through the local courts.

Police said Michelle Deguzman, 33, of the Bronx, was charged with DWI, a misdemeanor.

Additionally, police said Jorge Romero, 52, of New City, was also charged with DWI, a misdemeanor.