Crime & Safety

Police: Despite Warning, Drunk Armonk Woman Tried to Drive Off

Toni Rufeh told a police officer she was simply getting some shuteye in her car, but tried to drive away a few minutes later when she thought the officer was gone, according to Port Chester police.

Toni Rufeh told a Port Chester police officer she wasn't going to drive.

The officer noticed Rufeh, 50, sleeping behind the wheel of her BMW at 11:20 p.m. Saturday. The car was parked in the waterfront lot off Abendroth Avenue, the motor was off, and the officer knocked on the window to make sure Rufeh was okay.

"He could see she was intoxicated," Lt. James Ladeairous said. "She said, 'I'm doing the right thing, I'm not driving.'"

The officer took Rufeh at her word and asked her if she needed assistance or wanted him to call a friend or family member to pick her up, Ladeairous said. But Rufeh declined, saying she was just going to sleep it off in her car.

The reluctant officer offered help once more, then bade the Armonk woman goodbye, telling her again not to drive before he pulled away.

The officer drove around the block, then turned back toward the marina -- and spotted Rufeh's BMW pulling out of the parking lot.

Rufeh, of Wrights Mill Road in Armonk, was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. She was taken to police headquarters for booking and her car was towed pending a court appearance this week.

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