NORTHUMBERLAND, NY — A Monroe man was arrested Nov. 22 after being found slumped over the wheel of a running vehicle in a parking area on State Route 32N.
State Police from Wilton responded to the scene at about 6:54 a.m. after receiving a report of the incident.
Troopers located a vehicle matching the caller’s description and awakened the driver, who was identified as Joseph A. Berkowitz, 46, of Monroe.
Berkowitz was arrested on charges of driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of drugs or alcohol and any drug or drugs, and aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree.
While being taken into custody, Berkowitz was found in possession of a glass smoking device containing drug residue and was also charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree.
He was transported to State Police barracks in Wilton for processing, where he was evaluated by a Drug Recognition Expert and a blood sample was collected to determine the drug and alcohol content of his blood.
Further investigation revealed Berkowitz has a previous DWI conviction within the last 10 years.
Berkowitz was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Northumberland Town Court on Dec. 9 and released.
