Joppa Road Rage Leads To Arrest, Firearms Investigation: Police

BEL AIR, MD — Police said an Aberdeen man was arrested after a case of road rage in Joppa Tuesday that involved a gun. Those investigating the incident said they obtained a warrant to search his home, where they found 10 additional firearms.

Robert Hays Salsbery, 46, of the 200 block of Schmechel Street in Aberdeen, is charged with assault, reckless endangerment and weapons offenses. Authorities allege he pointed a gun at two people in a vehicle that cut him off on US 40 in Joppa.

Salsbery was driving a white Chevrolet Equinox when an orange Volkswagen swerved to avoid a pothole and cut him off on US 40 at Joppa Farm Road after 3 p.m. Tuesday, police said. Afterward, he pulled up next to the car and pointed a gun at the driver and her passenger before speeding off, according to officials.

The woman driving the Volkswagen contacted authorities, and troopers later found Salsbery on Route 40 at Edgewood Road, where he was arrested, according to Maryland State Police. Officials said they found a Ruger .380-caliber handgun in his vehicle.

Salsbery was charged with two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of reckless endangerment, having a handgun in his vehicle and using a gun in a felony-violent crime.

As troopers from the Bel Air Barrack investigated the road rage case, they received assistance from the Maryland State Police Firearms Enforcement Unit, and police said: "Additional information was obtained which led to a search and seizure warrant at Salsbery’s residence."

In addition to the Firearms Enforcement Unit, Maryland State Police reported the gang unit and narcotics unit participated in the investigation. Searching Salsbery's home in Aberdeen resulted in the seizure of 10 firearms in addition to the one he had in his vehicle, police said.

Additional charges may be filed pending review by the Harford County State's Attorney's Office.

Salsbery was being held without bail Wednesday at the Harford County Detention Center, police said. Court records show he has a bail review hearing Thursday in Harford County District Court.