NJ Man Points Gun At Another Driver After Crash In West Caldwell: PD

CALDWELLS, NJ — West Caldwell police arrested a North Jersey resident who allegedly pointed a gun at another driver during a recent hit-and-run crash, authorities announced Friday.

The West Caldwell Police Department released the following statement about the incident that led to the arrest:

“On August 29, officers responded to Fairfield Avenue and Dougal Place for a report of a hit-and-run crash. While officers were responding, dispatch advised that a handgun was displayed by one driver who left the scene of the incident. The on-scene investigation by officers High and Antero revealed that a road rage incident had taken place and one of the drivers pointed a handgun at the other driver before leaving the scene. The victim was able to provide a vehicle description of the vehicle that fled.”

Here's what happened next, police said:

“Using captured ALPRs data in the area, officers were able to identify the suspect vehicle. Further investigation by Detective Kazoun led to the identification of the driver of this vehicle. The fleeing suspect was also positively identified by the victim. On October 6, West Caldwell Detectives Kazoun and Potucek located and placed Axel Mateo, 21, of Wayne, under arrest for charges of Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats, and Unlawful Possession of a Handgun. A firearm was later recovered from Mr. Mateo’s residence.”

Mateo was transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark pending a hearing on the charges, police said.

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