Two arrested after disturbance at Stewart’s

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. » A Queensbury couple was arrested and charged with driving while ability impaired, drug possession and obstruction of governmental administration following a disturbance at a Stewart’s Shop.

On Feb. 14, State Police response to a call shortly before 7 a.m. for a male subject causing a disturbance. Investigation determined that Geoffrey M. Pickering, 30, had entered the Stewart’s store and attempted to purchased cigarettes without identification.

When the clerk refused to make the sale, Pickering went behind the register and got in the clerk’s face.

He then left the store without paying for items he had taken, but ultimately returned the merchandise. Police located Pickering in a vehicle in the parking lot and asked both he and the driver, Katelyn N. Imperato, 29, to step out of the car.

While being interviewed, police said Pickering attempted to walk away, refused to follow commands and became belligerent. Imperato, who was in the driver’s seat of the vehicle, was also interviewed. She showed signs of drug impairment and was administered and failed a Standardized Field Sobriety Test.

Pickering was charged with obstruction of governmental administration second degree, a misdemeanor.

Imperato was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and criminal possession of a controlled substance seventh degree, both misdemeanors. She was observed by a Drug Recognition Expert and was also found to be in possession of a quantity of clonazepam.

Both subjects were transported to SP Queensbury for processing where each were issued an appearance ticket for Queensbury Town Court on Feb. 24.