Lawrence Police say they are hoping the New Year’s weekend is evidence that constant warnings about the dangers of drinking and driving are sinking in.

Only three operating-under-the -influence arrests were made during the New Year’s Eve and morning time period, police spokesman Sgt. Dan Ward said.

“That’s very good,” Ward said. “Hopefully we got the word out, and people were taking the necessary precautions and having designated drivers.”

But police were kept busy otherwise over the holiday weekend. One of the more violent incidents occurred during a robbery about 3:30 a.m. Monday at Presto Convenience Store, 1030 N. Third St.

Though no weapons were seen, five men entered the store and began taking money and cigarettes, Ward said. One of the men forced a woman clerk to the floor and held her there while the looting was going on. She was not injured and called police when the men left.

The men were black, according to the clerk, who told police the man who held her down was about 6 feet tall and 180 pounds.

Anyone who has information about the incident is asked to call the police department at 832-7509 or the Crime Stoppers tips line at 843-8477.

Shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday a disturbance in the mobile home park at 110 N. Mich. resulted in a man being held at knifepoint. The victim was forced to go to another mobile home. The suspect then left. An investigation later led police to arrest a 21-year-old man.

At 1:30 a.m. Sunday, police were called to The Jayhawk Cafe, 1340 Ohio, after a 27-year-old man was struck on the head with a blunt object. He was not seriously injured.

Mailboxes were vandalized Saturday night or Sunday morning in the 2300 block of Willow Lane. Police received only one report from a resident but said they had heard there might be others damaged, too.

Police also are investigating a vandalism incident at a car dealership that occurred sometime between Dec. 23 and Dec. 26. Ten vehicles sustained various types of damage at Auto Exchange, 1225 E. 23rd St.