Westchester County Police Department officers arrested two men after a road rage incident a few days ago on the Saw Mill River Parkway. While there are always consequences for road rage, this time we made a federal case about it.
The incident occurred about 10:30 a.m. Monday after two motorists first exchanged words at a traffic light in Yonkers. At the light at Lawrence Street, the passenger in one of the vehicles brandished a gun and pointed it at the driver of the second vehicle.
The victim sped off and dialed 911. The suspect vehicle, a Chrysler 300, followed him. Our Communications Unit dispatchers stayed on the line with the victim and he reported their locations as both cars traveled northbound.
WCPD sent the cavalry — multiple Patrol, Conditions and Emergency Services Unit officers responded to the Saw Mill. They attempted to pull the suspect vehicle over in the Elmsford area, but the driver would not stop and attempted to exit the parkway at Exit 25 (Route 9A) in Hawthorne.
If you know the exit, you know it has a sharp turn and a guiderail. Looks like the driver of the Chrysler didn’t know that, so for him things took a turn for the worse and he came to a crashing halt. Officers removed driver and passenger from the now-crumpled Chrysler and placed them into custody.
An extended magazine with 13 rounds of 9 mm ammunition was found under a front seat, along with two other loose bullets. A flashing light coming from something tucked away in the rear seat led to the recovery of an unloaded Polymer80 9 mm handgun – also known as a “ghost gun” – which had a green laser site attached.
The two suspects were found to be convicted felons who have served jail time for violent crimes. One of them is still on parole. The FBI Westchester Safe Streets Task Force, which includes federal agents and Westchester law enforcement, became involved in the follow-up investigation.
The matter was subsequently turned over to the FBI for criminal charges. The case will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
Nice job by all WCPD personnel involved. We’re grateful for the support from our federal partners.
And it’s good to know this gun is off the street and out of the hands of convicted felons.
