June 16, 2008


Cops: striking Brewster troopers

Terence Corcoran
The Journal News

SOUTHEAST - A convicted felon who was deported to his native Guatemala last year, only to sneak back into the county, is in custody today after nearly running head-on into a state police cruiser while driving drunk, state police said.

Biro Teodoro Escobar-Espana, 28, is being held at the Putnam County jail this morning in lieu of $250,000 cash bail or $500,000 bond. But even if he is able to post bond, a federal immigration detainer prevents him from being released.

Troopers from the Brewster barracks were patrolling on Route 22 around 1:30 a.m. Friday when a car nearly struck their cruiser head-on, Sgt Joseph Malorgio said.

They determined the driver was intoxicated and took him into custody after he refused to perform any field-sobriety tests, police said.

He initially gave another name and told them he was 29, but the troopers were suspicious and faxed a copy of his fingerprints to the FBI. The FBI responded with Escobar-Espana's correct name, age and information that he was deported to his native Guatemala in June 2007 after serving time in state prison on a drug conviction, police said.

He was currently residing on Allview Avenue, police said.

He is charged with three counts of second-degree forgery, felonies, three counts of falsifying business records, false personation and driving while intoxicated, misdemeanors, police said.

Officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued the detainer warrant.

Escobar-Espana was arraigned before Town Justice James L. Borkowski and is due back in town court on July 9.

Trooper Rachel Longmaid made the arrest.

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