State Police in Troop G make notable DWI arrests 10/11- 10/17

On October 12, 2024, at about 9:00 p.m., State Police of Saratoga responded to the reports of a disturbance in Greenfield, NY.  One of the individuals involved, later identified as Derrick B. Bennett, 40, of Amsterdam, NY, left the location in a vehicle with three passengers under the age of 16 prior to law enforcement's arrival.  Bennett was stopped in the area of State Route 67 in Charlton, NY, for multiple Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.  The three children were turned over to a family member.  Bennett was arrested for three counts of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Child (Leandra's Law), three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. He was transported to SP Saratoga for processing, where he refused to provide a sample to determine the alcohol content of his blood. Further investigation discovered Bennett has had a previous DWI conviction in the last ten years.  Bennett was also charged with an additional count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Criminal Mischief in the fourth degree as a result of the disturbance investigation in Greenfield, NY, where he allegedly harassed and damaged the property of a child. Bennett was arraigned on the DWI charges at the Charlton Town Court and remanded to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility without bail.

On October 13, 2024, at about 7:00 p.m., State Police of Saratoga responded to the reports of an erratic vehicle on northbound I-87 in Saratoga County. Troopers located the vehicle matching the caller’s description and stopped it for a Vehicle and Traffic Law violation on I-87 in Wilton, NY.  The driver was identified as Daniel A. Kowalczyn, 39, of East Bridgewater, MA. Kowalcyzn was arrested for Driving While intoxicated and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.  He was transported to SP Wilton for processing, where he recorded a 0.38% BAC. Kowalczyn was issued tickets returnable to the Wilton Town Court on November 12, 2024, and released to a sober third party.    

On October 15, 2024, at about 5:10 p.m., State Police assigned to the Northway Interstate Patrol responded to I-87 in Clifton Park, NY, for the reports of a vehicle driving erratically. Troopers located the vehicle, which matched the caller’s description, and stopped it for a Vehicle and Traffic Law violation. The driver was identified as Andrew Peru, 40, of Schenectady, NY. Peru was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. He was transported to SP Clifton Park for processing, where he recorded a 0.21% BAC.   Peru was issued tickets returnable to the Clifton Park Town Court on October 30, 2024, and released to a sober third party.