Florida man accused of pulling gun on trooper in slow-moving traffic
Share and Follow

State police in Florida have arrested a man they say pulled a weapon on an off-duty trooper during a traffic jam.

The incident happened just before 4 p.m. Sunday on SR-570, also known as Polk Parkway, near milepost 18, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) said. 

The trooper, who was in civilian attire with family members in his personal vehicle, was caught in slow-moving traffic when the driver of a red Chevy pickup truck “became agitated and began focusing his attention on the trooper,” FHP said.

The suspect, later identified as 32-year-old Matthew Timothy Reiter, allegedly drove alongside the trooper’s vehicle as traffic cleared, and he was speeding up, slowing down, yelling and using hand gestures. 

FLORIDA CRIME TRENDING DOWN WHILE CALIFORNIA SKYROCKETS EXPLAINED BY ONE KEY DIFFERENCE: EXPERT

FHP recovered firearms Polk County

FHP shared this photo of firearms they say they were recovered from the suspect at his home. (Florida Highway Patrol)

The trooper ignored Reiter until he allegedly “displayed a compact style firearm, eventually pointing the weapon at the trooper.”

Following the flashing, the trooper contacted fellow officers to report the incident. Several troopers responded to the area, but were not able to find Reiter.

FLORIDA GOP LAWMAKER RAISES ALARM ON ILLEGAL CHINESE IMMIGRANTS WHO SAILED TO KEY LARGO

Florida Highway Patrol cruiser

The Florida Highway Patrol trooper involved was off duty, and not in a patrol vehicle during the incident. (Sam Navarro/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Map of Florida

The suspect returned home to Auburndale, where troopers were already waiting for him and placed him under arrest. (Google Earth)

Reiter returned home to Auburndale, where troopers were already waiting for him. He was placed under arrest by troopers who located five different firearms in his possession, FHP said. 

Reiter was charged with three counts each of unlawful display of a weapon and aggravated assault with a weapon.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Defiant Iran boasts all its nuclear material is 'in a safe place'

Iran proudly declares that all of its nuclear material is stored securely

Iran boasted that all its nuclear material had been moved to ‘a safe…
Florida offers Trump 'alligator Alcatraz' to detain illegal migrants

“Florida Proposes Using Alligator-Filled Prison Island to Hold Illegal Migrants”

Illegal migrants could soon be held in a massive new immigration detention…
Raccoon family’s stay at a 'temporary Airbnb' cut short by animal control

Animal control shortens raccoon family’s stay at temporary Airbnb

Hopefully this furry family took a good look at the refund policy. …
Border Report Live: Immigration crackdown spurs traditional cartel activity

Increased Immigration Enforcement Leads to Rise in Traditional Cartel Operations: Border Report Live

EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) — Authorities in the Mexican border state…
Man who died in shootout with Chesterton, Indiana police ID'd as Joseph Gerber

Identification of the man who died in a gun battle with Chesterton, Indiana police revealed as Joseph Gerber

CHESTERON, Ind. (WLS) — Authorities have identified a man who died after…
Loren Ruch, HGTV co-host, dies at 55

HGTV co-host Loren Ruch passes away at the age of 55

HGTV stars posted about Ruch’s passing, remembering him as someone they were…
DHS places new limits on lawmakers visiting ICE facilities

New rules set by DHS for lawmakers visiting ICE buildings

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is placing new limitations on lawmakers…
'Leader hasn’t learned from his predecessors'

‘Current Leader Fails to Benefit from Past Leaders’

The Defense Minister of Israel issued a warning to Hezbollah, cautioning them…