NYPD Officer Charged In Long Island Road Rage Incident: Report

SELDEN, NY — An officer assigned to the New York Police Department has been arrested after a road rage incident in Selden after breaking a motorist's side view mirror on Saturday, then waving a gun at the victim's family later that day, according to a report in Newsday.

In a statement to Patch on Tuesday, Suffolk police said Douglas Debonet, 32, of Selden got out of his vehicle at Old Town Road and County Road 83 in Selden and broke a side view mirror on a vehicle at about 11:20 a.m., and later that day, he went to the driver’s home and was involved in an altercation with the driver’s father.

Police confirmed Debonet "displayed a firearm," but could not say when because he has already been arraigned. A spokeswoman could also not confirm he is a member of the NYPD.

NYPD brass told Newsday that Debonet has been suspended without pay.

A Suffolk police spokeswoman could not say why a news release was not issued by the department.

Debonet was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief and second-degree menacing, both misdemeanors, police said. He was released on his own recognizance and order of protection was issued after his arraignment in First District Court on Saturday, according to online court records.

His attorney is listed as Joseph Owen Tuffy of Las Vegas, NV, records show.

He could not be immediately reached for comment.