On Friday, December 30, 2016, at 2:24 p.m., Officers Michael Hein and Jeffrey Slota responded to the parking lot of 701 Lacey Road in Forked River, in reference to a road rage incident. The complainant reported that he was stopped in the Garden State Parkway toll plaza for southbound exit 74 when the driver behind him became agitated with how long he was stopped at the toll booth.
The driver behind him began to excessively honk his car horn. The complainant further reported that he allowed the other vehicle to go around him. After proceeding through the toll, the complainant traveled east on Lacey Road when he came to a complete stop for the red traffic signal at the intersection of Lacey Road and Deerhead Lake Drive.
The complainant advised that the driver of the same vehicle pulled into the parking lot of 701 Lacey Road and exited his vehicle.
The driver then approached his stopped vehicle at the traffic signal and sprayed him in the face with pepper spray. The suspect then got back into his vehicle and fled the scene. The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 50 to 60 years old, 5’ 8” tall, 240 pounds, with dirty blond hair and a gray beard. The vehicle is described as a dark colored sport utility vehicle. The victim refused medical treatment. The incident is under investigation.