Man arrested for allegedly pulling gun on driver during reported road rage dispute in Brewster
BREWSTER, New York (WABC) -- Three Putnam County sheriff's deputies arrested a man Saturday evening after a reported road rage incident that began on Peach Lake Road, also known as Route 121.
A 911 caller told dispatchers the driver of a flatbed truck had "menaced him with a gun," prompting deputies to search for the vehicle. Brewster resident Roberto Martinez Porras said the police response quickly drew attention on the normally quiet street.
"What caught my attention is that the cops were pulling a gun on this person. So that that's when I said, you know, get inside the house," he said.
Capt. Harry Tompkins of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said the victim provided key details.
"We don't know how it initiated from. But, we do know that the driver gave a very good description of the vehicle and the person. So that led to our deputy locating this in a very short period of time," he said.
Deputies arrested 41-year-old Brandon Tompkins a few miles from the scene after spotting the truck. Police said Tompkins was taken into custody without incident, and a loaded .45-caliber Glock handgun was recovered from the vehicle.
The arrest unsettled some neighbors. Brewster resident Jennifer Gutierrez said the situation hit close to home.
"It's scary because there are kids here. You know, my daughter usually rides her skateboard right in the front because it's a hill. It's scary," she said.
A sheriff's official condemned the behavior described in the 911 call.
"It's unfortunate when a person, has a traffic dispute and they have to display a loaded firearm at another person. But, I can assure you, when you do that in Putnam County, our deputies are going to find you, they're going to arrest you, and... you're going to go to jail," the official said.
No injuries were reported. Tompkins was arraigned on weapons and menacing charges.
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