Police Blotter 3/6/2012

The beginning of the week was anything but slow for a Pennsylvania man.

He was clocked driving 87 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. "You will get a ticket for that," said Sergeant Jason Daniels of the Ocracoke Sheriff's Department.

A fender bender in the village resulted in one citation, for not having a valid NC Drivers License.

On Saturday, the department was called to investigate a breaking and entering at a private residence. Officers "looked most of the night" but were "unable to find the suspect," said Daniels. Nothing was stolen, and on Sunday the homeowners said they had no interest in pursuing charges.

There is an open investigation into a breaking and entering on another island property.

The word for the week is don't wake up to a drunk stranger trying to climb in your bed. As we gear up for the summer, it's important to lock your house, even if you're home, said Daniels, especially if you live in a former weekly rental or near vacation homes. "Tourists go out, have too much, and get confused," he said. "We've caught multiple people going into the wrong houses."

Robyn's car after she was hit by a drunk driver.
Robyn's car after she was hit by a drunk driver.

Sergeant Daniels wants to alert the public that DWI laws have stiffened in NC, especially for repeat offenders, who will likely face jail time. The fines for a first offense have increased as well.

There is "zero excuse" for the Monticone family to be going through what they are because of a drunk driver, said Daniels. Former Ocracoke resident Robyn Potter Monticone's vehicle was struck by a drunk driver in Utah last month, and she has been hospitalized, undergoing multiple surgeries, ever since. Robyn's mother-in-law, Ocracoke resident Leslie Monticone, is helping care for her infant granddaughter, Emmeline, while Robyn recovers.

Cards to Robyn can be mailed to 592 North 200 West, Heber City, UT 84032.

Texting while driving makes you similarly impaired to driving while drunk, Daniels said.

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