‘Pine Barrens Patrol’ nets ATV arrest; cops vow more to come
Southampton Town police arrested a 29-year-old ATV user during what police called a “Pine Barrens Patrol” south of Sunrise Highway.
And the department is promising more operations to come.
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office’s air support unit also assisted in the operation, which was confined to the protected area between County Road 31 and Speonk-Riverhead Road, just west of Gabreski Airport in Westhampton.
There, police spotted a James Brennan of Westhampton Beach riding on a trial, along with a passenger. He was stopped and charged with numerous state vehicle and traffic violations, as well as county and town code violations, including operating an ATV on public property. The vehicle was also unregistered and uninsured, police said.
He was released without bail. The ATV was impounded.
Southampton Town police officials said they’re launching the patrols in response to numerous citizen complaints.