A man was arrested for allegedly pointing a gun at someone and trying to force them off the road during a road rage incident on Route 8 in Thomaston on Tuesday evening.
Troopers responded to the highway just after 6:45 p.m after receiving a report from someone reporting a road rage incident that had occurred on Route 8 in the area of Exit 38, according to Connecticut State Police.
The individual told troopers they were entering Route 8 from the Interstate 84 West Exit 20 off-ramp when the driver of a red Chevrolet Silverado unsafely merged into their lane, state police said. According to state police, the individual alleged that Chevrolet driver then repeatedly brake-checked them as they continued driving. This reportedly went on as they passed several exits.
At one point, the individual said they swerved into the right lane to avoid a collision as the Chevrolet driver allegedly slammed on his brakes before slowing down alongside them, state police said. The individual said the Chevrolet driver then allegedly rolled his passenger side window down, pointed a gun and tried to force them off the right side of the road by swerving into the right lane, according to state police. The individual said they were able to maneuver around the Chevrolet and get into the left lane to try to pass it.
At this point, the individual alleged that the Chevrolet driver rolled down his driver’s side window and again pointed a gun at them, state police said. The driver of the Chevrolet rolled up his window shortly thereafter and got off the highway using the Exit 39 off-ramp.
The individual said they then pulled over and called 911. According to state police, the individual was able to get the Chevrolet’s license plate information.
Using Department of Motor Vehicle records, state police said they found that the vehicle was registered to someone in Torrington. When troopers responded to the residence, they spoke to the homeowner, who alleged that their family member, identified as 33-year-old Matthew Bielefield, is the primary driver of the Chevrolet and lives in Winchester, state police said.
Troopers then went to Bielefield’s home and spotted the pickup truck in the driveway. Bielefield was arrested and taken to Troop L in Litchfield.
State police said they seized a “Byrna pepperball gun” during the investigation.
Bielefield was charged with reckless driving, illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, second-degree breach of peace and first-degree threatening. He was released on a $50,000 bond and is expected to appear in Torrington Superior Court on Oct. 28.
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