Southington Walmart Rampage: Man Accused Of Spitting On Man, Using Slurs, Trashing Store: Police

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A 32-year-old Kent man was arrested Friday, Nov. 6, after police said he shouted racial and homophobic slurs at a customer, repeatedly spat in the man's face, damaged merchandise and vehicles, and fled from officers following a disturbance at a Southington Walmart.

Matthew Colby, 32, of Kent, was taken into custody and charged with multiple offenses, including second-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, according to the Southington Police Department.

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The charges stemmed from an incident on Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Southington Walmart, 235 Queen St.

Police said officers responded to the store at approximately 11:23 a.m. after receiving reports of an active disturbance.

When officers arrived, they observed a suspect fleeing the shopping plaza in a white Ford Fusion without visible registration plates.

An officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to pull over and fled, police said.

Investigators determined that Colby had approached a male customer in the Walmart parking lot and directed racial and homophobic slurs at him.

Colby then allegedly spat in the man's face several times.

Police said Colby subsequently entered Walmart and damaged several merchandise displays.

After leaving the store, he allegedly kicked and damaged two parked vehicles before fleeing in the Ford Fusion.

Officers later identified Colby as the suspect and applied for an arrest warrant.

Police announced Friday that Colby had been taken into custody and charged with the following offenses:

• Second-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias
• Second-degree breach of peace (two counts)
• Second-degree criminal mischief (two counts)
• Reckless driving
• Failure to obey an officer's signal
• Engaging police in pursuit
• Failure to display a number plate

Police did not provide information about Colby's bond or scheduled court appearance.

The arrest followed a public appeal for information about the suspect and the white Ford Fusion involved in the incident.

Police are also investigating the possibility of the suspect being involved in an incident in West Hartford that weekend as well.

Southington police, however, did not indicate any charges related to anything else.

From Nov. 4: 'Southington Walmart Incident Prompts Call For Assistance; May Be Linked To West Hartford Incident: UPDATE'