Wethersfield Man Waved Gun In Hartford 'Road Rage' Incident: Police

HARTFORD/WETHERSFIELD — A Wethersfield man was charged after police said he waved a gun at another motorist during a road rage incident in Hartford last August.

According to Connecticut State Police, Joaquim Pereira, 70, of Wethersfield, turned himself in to state police at Troop H in Hartford at 5:20 p.m. Oct. 31 in connection with the investigation.

There, Pereira was charged with first-degree threatening with a firearm; first-degree reckless endangerment; and second-degree breach of peace.

Pereira is released from custody on a $75,000 bond and is scheduled to appear at Hartford Superior Court on Nov. 18.

Police said Pereira's charges stem from an incident on Route 5/15 northbound in Hartford on Aug. 10.

According to police, Pereira was alleged to have displayed a firearm during the incident.

Pereira is accused of threatening another motorist while driving a white Lexus after another motorist in an SUV cut him off on the highway, according to court documents

The victim immediately reported the incident to Troop H that night, saying he accidentally cut off the motorist on the highway when he realized he was not in the lane he wanted to be in, according to the arrest warrant.

According to court documents, the suspect then sped up next to the victim's vehicle on the driver's side door.

Pereira told investigators the victim then stuck up his middle finger at Pereira, police said in the arrest warrant.

Citing Pereira, police in the warrant said the suspect was "upset" and admitted to pulling out a black, 9 mm Smith & Wesson handgun.

According to the warrant, Pereira never intended to shoot the victim, only to warn him that he had a gun.

Pereira voluntarily surrendered his firearms and CT pistol permit during this investigation, police said.

Police said he was taken into custody without incident.

For the Connecticut State Police news page, click on this link.