HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – A Thonotosassa man faces serious charges after police say he rammed his vehicle into a utility pole and threatened to shoot power line workers who were repairing storm damage.
On Tuesday afternoon, Kenneth Ray Velasco, 57, became enraged by a traffic delay caused by power line repairs on McIntosh Road and Tomar Drive. In a fit of road rage, Velasco backed his vehicle into a utility pole and fence, causing $1,000 in damages.
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When the linemen tried to stop Velasco from fleeing the scene, he reportedly threatened to shoot them and drove his vehicle towards them, forcing them to jump out of the way.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies located Velasco and arrested him without incident. He is charged with aggravated assault and felony criminal mischief.
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“Linemen have been working tirelessly to restore power after the storm. For this person to threaten their lives and deliberately endanger them, all because of a traffic delay, shows a disturbing lack of regard for the safety of others and the critical work being done,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “We’re grateful no one was seriously hurt, and this suspect will face the full extent of the law for his egregious crimes.”
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