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The incident occurred in Dutchess County on Beekman Road in Beekman at about 7 p.m. Thursday, March 14.
An investigation found James A. Murphy of Wappinger began tailgating the victim, and making obscene gestures for unknown reasons, state police from the Poughkeepsie barracks said.
Murphy then passed the victim in a no passing zone, and stopped his vehicle blocking traffic before exiting the vehicle, and then menaced the victim with a piece of wood, according to police.
The victim attempted to film the incident, at which time Murphy broke the victim’s phone, said police. A good Samaritan then exited his vehicle, and confronted Murphy, who then fled the scene.
Murphy was arrested and charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon (a Class D felony), first-degree menacing (a Class E felony) and fourth-degree criminal mischief (a Class A misdemeanor).
Murphy was arraigned before the town of Beekman Court, and remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $2,000 cash bail or $4,000 secure bond. Murphy is next scheduled to appear before the court on Thursday, March 21.
This investigation remains ongoing, police said. Anyone who witnessed te incident or believes they were a victim of a crime committed by James Murphy in the past is being asked to contact Troop K Headquarters at 845-677-7300.
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