Suffolk County Police arrested a Smithtown man following a road rage incident involving a handgun in Kings Park.
On April 30 at approximately 6 p.m., Christopher Tartaglia was driving a 2015 BMW X5 eastbound on Cortez Drive, just east of Indian Head Road, when he allegedly began tailgating the vehicle in front of him while honking his horn repeatedly.
The other vehicle pulled to the side of the road to allow Tartaglia to pass. Tartaglia pulled alongside the stopped vehicle and threatened the driver while pointing a handgun in his direction before driving away. The victim called 911 to report the incident.
Fourth Precinct Patrol officers, along with members of the Community Support Unit, located and arrested Tartaglia at his residence a short time later. A Ruger LCP Max was recovered as well as another firearm and a legally owned rifle.
Fourth Squad detectives charged Tartaglia, 57, of 52 Neil Drive, with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree menacing. He was held overnight at the Fourth Precinct and scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on May 1.
Detectives are asking anyone with information on the incident to contact the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8542.