Long Island Man Pointed Handgun At Another Driver In Road Rage Incident: Police

LONG ISLAND, NY — A Long Island man was arrested after a pointing handgun at another motorist in a road rage incident on Wednesday night, Suffolk police said.

Christopher Tartaglia was driving a 2015 BMW X5 eastbound on Cortez Drive, just east of Indian Head Road, at around 6 p.m. when he began tailgating the vehicle in front of him while honking his horn repeatedly, according to police.

The other vehicle pulled to the side of the road to allow Tartaglia to pass, police said, adding that Tartaglia pulled alongside the stopped vehicle and threatened the driver while pointing a handgun in his direction before driving away.

The motorist called 911 to report the incident, police said.

Fourth Precinct Patrol officers, along with members of the Community Support Unit, located and
arrested Tartaglia at his home a short time later, and a Ruger LCP Max was recovered, as well as another firearm, and a legally owned rifle.

Tartaglia, 57, of Smithtown, was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and menacing. He will be held overnight at the 4th Precinct in Smithtown and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Thursday.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on the incident to contact the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8542.