A road rage incident took an unusual turn when a man upset with another driver pulled a machete from his car and threatened the other driver in the Home Depot parking lot.
At 2:45 p.m. on July 11, a man called police to report being threatened by another driver, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor.
The man who reported the incident told police he was being tailgated while driving on Arsenal Street. He then pulled into the mall parking lot, and the suspect followed him.
“The victim stopped at a stop sign in the parking lot, and the arrestee drove around the car and parked in front of him,” O’Connor said. “The man reversed his truck and backed into the the vehicle intentionally, causing minor damage.”
The victim tried to get out of his car, but the suspect would not let him.
“The victim opened his door and attempted to exit but the arrestee kicked the door and closed it,” O’Connor said. “At that point he was holding a machete. The victim was in fear of being harmed with the weapon.”
After an argument, the suspect drove away, but the victim got his license plate and a description and gave them to the police. Police identified him as Daniel A. Rufo Jr. of Newton.
“Police went to his home in Newton,” O’Connor said. “They spoke to Rufo who said he was involved in the incident. In a search of his vehicle police found the machete.”
Daniel A. Rufo Jr., 56, of Newton, was arrested on charges of malicious damage to a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in property damage, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and assault with a dangerous weapon.