A suspected case of highway rage took an surprising flip when the sufferer proved to be a cool-headed state trooper, in line with Florida Freeway Patrol.
It occurred Sunday, Oct. 29, simply earlier than 4 p.m. on Polk Parkway within the Lakeland space, and the trooper was off obligation and together with his household, freeway patrol stated in a information launch. Lakeland is about 35 miles northeast of Tampa.
“Caught in slow-moving site visitors, a driver in a purple Chevy pickup grew to become agitated and commenced focusing his consideration on the trooper,” freeway patrol stated.
“As site visitors cleared, the suspect drove alongside the trooper’s car, dashing up and slowing down, yelling and utilizing hand gestures. The trooper ignored the suspect; nevertheless, the suspect slowed once more and displayed a compact fashion firearm, finally pointing the weapon on the trooper.”
The trooper, who was not recognized, reported the encounter to Florida Freeway Patrol and a search was launched.
Investigators say the car was finally discovered on the 32-year-old driver’s dwelling in Auburndale, about 11 miles east of Lakeland. He was recognized as Matthew Timothy Reiter.
Reiter was arrested and troopers “positioned 5 totally different firearms,” officers stated. He’s charged with “three counts every of illegal show of a weapon and aggravated assault with a weapon,” officers stated.
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