The blotter

DWI

Painted Post State Police charged Ashley R. Coogan, 18, of Campbell with driving while intoxicated and unlawful possession of alcohol under the age of 21, after she was seen traveling down Chestnut Street with a flat front tire on Nov. 1. She is to appear in Corning city court at a later date.

Forged instrument

Bath Village Police Nov. 4 at 11:40 a.m. arrested David Gene Ritter, Sr., 68, of 36 Lanphear Court, Corning on a charge of second degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, second degree criminal impersonation, and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, and unclassified misdemeanor. He was subsequently arraigned in Bath village court and committed to the Steuben County Jail without bail.

Ritter was stopped after a Bath police patrol observed his vehicle's left brake lamp was not working. The police sergeant who was on duty, and had dealings with Ritter in the past, also suspected his operating privileges had been revoked.

After being stopped, Ritter produced a valid New York driver's license under the name of "Jean Ridder" with a date of birth that is approximately 11 months different from the one that law enforcement knew him by.

Ritter, a convicted felon, told police he was born in South Carolina, adding he tried to get his birth certificate from South Carolina in the name of "David Gene Ritter" with the date of birth that law enforcement knew him by. South Carolina authorities, however, told him his legal name was "Jean Ridder and sent him a birth certificate in the name of "Jean Ridder" - with a date of birth that was approximately 11 months younger than the other.

According to Ritter, South Carolina authorities informed him that if he wanted to go by the name of "David Gene Ritter" that he would have to legally change his name. Ritter said he declined to do this because of the associated costs..

Ritter also allegedly knew his operating privileges in New York state had been revoked because he owed the state $750 for refusing to submit to a chemical test. He told police he went to a DMV office where he was not known, produced a birth certificate under the name of Jean Ridder and was ultimately issued a valid New York driver's license under the name of "Jean Ridder." Ritter further explained he had been stopped several times by law enforcement and produced the driver's license in the name of Jean Ridder. Thus, he was able to avoid prosecution for aggravated unlicensed operation and was able to register and insure vehicles under the same name without any additional penalties.

Village Police are continuing the investigation.