Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Woman Skips Out on Cab Fare Then Gets Arrested for DWI, Prosecutors Say

By Nicholas Rizzi | October 16, 2017 8:32am

STAPLETON — A woman who skipped out on cab fare from Manhattan to her home in Stapleton was arrested about half an hour later for driving with more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in her system, prosecutors said.

Stacie Stephen, 34, took a cab from Manhattan to her Van Duzer Street home Oct. 6. When the driver dropped her off around midnight, she ran into the home to beat the fare, according to her criminal complaint.

The driver called 911, officials said. 

Stephen at some point hopped into her own car and took off driving until officers pulled her over about a half-hour later, police said.

Stephen was unsteady on her feet and had a blood alcohol content of .175, well over the legal limit of .08, prosecutors said.

She was charged with driving while intoxicated, theft of services and driving while ability impaired at her arraignment, the Staten Island District Attorney's office said.

She was released without bail.

Her lawyer did not respond to a request for comment.

Other notable incidents in Staten Island include:

► A man smashed $2,500 worth of glass doors and windows at a bowling alley after he got kicked out, a law enforcement source said.

Christopher Budgell, 22, got into an argument with a worker at Rab's Country Lanes, at 1600 Hylan Blvd., on Sept. 30 and was asked to leave, the source said.

Budgell returned at about 1:29 a.m. and kicked the front door, shattering the glass, according to his complaint. He then threw a garbage can into another door and bricks into others to shatter the glass, prosecutors said.

Budgell was arrested Oct. 6 and charged with criminal mischief at his arraignment, the DA said. He was released without bail.

He was previously arrested for trespassing, court records show.

His lawyer did not respond to a request for comment.

► A woman who was pulled over for failing to use a turn signal had a needle with heroin residue in her hand, prosecutors said.

Officers pulled over Melissa Femenella, 34, on Wednesday near Richmond Terrace and Bay Street and saw her holding the needle in her right hand, police said.

Femenella was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminally possessing a hypodermic instrument, the DA said. Her bond was set at $1,500 bond, $500 cash, court records show. She was previously arrested in May for drug possession.

Her lawyer did not respond to a request for comment.