Headlight-Flashing Driver Gets Bias Charge In Southington: Report

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A West Hartford resident was arrested on a bias charge — and a slew of others — after he followed another driver to a Southington home with the lights flashing, police said.

The incident took place on Saturday, police said. Police did not say what may have triggered it.

Juan Rivera, 24 of West Hartford was charged with driving under the influence, driving with intent to harass, second-degree breach of peace, intimidation based on bigotry or bias, second-degree threatening and first-degree reckless endangerment.

Rivera is accused of following a someone in another car to a Marion Avenue home while flashing his headlights, police said. Once in in the driveway, he began to yell at the resident and was calling him a "Jehovah’s Witness," according to a report.

Rivera is also accused of threatening to "pop" the victim and reached around behind his back as if he was getting a weapon, according to a report. He never actually showed a weapon and the resident was able to alert people inside the home, who came outside, according to a report.

Rivera then fled the area in his vehicle, police said.

The vehicle’s description was put out to other area departments and Bristol Police located it a short time later, according to a report. Rivera was found with a pocket knife and was was intoxicated, according to a report.

Rivera posted a $15,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in Bristol Superior Court on Aug. 30, according to a report.