Drunken Boater Leads Officers On Water Chase: Police

SHELTER ISLAND, NY — A Connecticut man was arrested after he was caught boating while intoxicated and tried to flee, leading officers on a water chase, police said.

According to Shelter Island police, Michael Heinke, 54, of Old Saybrook was arrested on Monday at 3:56 p.m. and charged with operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol; and operating a vessel with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent of 1 percent; as well as reckless operation of a vessel and violations including registration number and a right-of-way violation, police said.

The Shelter Island Police Department's marine patrol responded to reports of an intoxicated person operating a vessel in Dering Harbor, police said. When officers attempted to stop the vessel, Heinke fled, leading marine patrol on a pursuit that ended just before entering Plum Gut, police said.

Heinke was transported to Shelter Island, arrested, processed and released on a desk appearance ticket, returnable to Shelter Island Justice Court at a future date, police said.