The chief of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, Richard Velky, was arrested Christmas night and charged with driving under the influence, according to Woodbury police.
Authorities say Velky stumbled toward a Woodbury police officer's personal car, threatened the officer and punched the car's hood.
The off-duty officer had seen Velky driving erratically and ultimately charged the 59-year-old with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, failure to drive right and breach of peace.
Velky posted $5,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 4.
A woman who answered a phone listing for Velky Tuesday said his arrest wasn't newsworthy and hung-up.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
