Road Rage At Elmhurst Police Station: Cops

ELMHURST, IL – A road rage incident on Valentine's Day ended up at the Elmhurst police station, where a driver demanded another get out of his car, police said.

Joseph Ricchetti, 47, of the 100 block of North Hampshire Avenue, was arrested as a result, police said.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained the full police report.

The incident started about 3 p.m. at York and Vallette streets.

Ricchetti, who later said he was cut off by the driver of a pickup truck, tailgated that driver around town, the report said.

The other driver told officers that he eventually decided to go to the police station. Once there, Ricchetti got out of his car and knocked loudly on the other driver's window, demanding that he get out, police said.

The other driver said Ricchetti moved his hands inside his jacket pockets as if he were holding something, police said.

The driver then called Deputy Police Chief Jim Gandy, alerting him to the problem. The driver told Ricchetti that he was calling the police.

Ricchetti then got into his car and sped away, police said. Officers, including Police Chief Michael McLean, looked for Ricchetti. The suspect was found at his house.

In an interview, Ricchetti, who was out to buy cat food, acknowledged he had followed the other driver after he said the driver cut him office. Ricchetti said he wanted to speak with the driver about what happened, police said.

Ricchetti said he "got out and asked (the driver) nicely," according to the report.

"I probably should have just let him go," Ricchetti was quoted as saying.

Ricchetti was charged with disorderly conduct, reckless driving and driving with a revoked license. He was taken to the DuPage County Jail.

Ricchetti is on a restricted driver's license. He is only allowed to drive for certain reasons, police said.

Police towed away his car.