Traffic stop leads to drugs

Traffic and equipment violations led to the discovery of crack cocaine and the arrest of an East Hampton man Sunday night on Flanders Road in Flanders, Southampton Town police said.

Bruce Hale, 42, of Accabonac Road was pulled over after he was observed swaying on Flanders Road and driving with one lit headlight, according to police, who said Mr. Hale failed all roadside sobriety tests and that crack cocaine was found in his right front shirt pocket.

Mr. Hale was charged with driving while ability impaired by alcohol and criminal possession of a controlled substance, police said.

His passenger, Jose Zeledon, 33, of Springs-Fireplace Road in East Hampton, also was found in possession of crack cocaine, officials said. Police said he was acting strangely and wouldn’t listen to police directions, when an officer then noticed the crack cocaine in his hand.

* A Flanders man is accused of grabbing another man by the neck and choking him last Thursday night in Hampton Bays, causing the alleged victim to fear for his life, police said.

Luis Campos, 52, of Groves Drive was charged with menacing and harassment about 7 p.m. on Newtown Road in Hampton Bays.

* Rebecca Anne Abatelli, 19, of Cutchogue was charged with driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident last Wednesday afternoon on Montauk Highway near Jones Road in East Quogue, police said. Ms. Abatelli had been involved in an accident with another car at the location before fleeing, officials said. She was found a short distance away and was intoxicated, police said.

* Andre Walker, 20, of Ludlam Avenue in Riverside was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle last Wednesday morning on Peconic Avenue near the traffic circle in Riverside, police said. Mr. Walker was stopped for not wearing a seat belt when an officer discovered his license had been suspended for failure to pay child support, according to police.

* Two 100-gallon diesel tanks valued at $2,000 and four truck batteries were reported stolen last Monday from a truck that was parked in a driveway on Flanders Road in Flanders.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.