An Aberdeen man was arrested after threatening another driver on the road with a firearm on Thursday afternoon.
Vincent Elwin Newson, 28, was arrested after a brief foot pursuit off of Newskah Road near South Aberdeen, according to Undersheriff Kevin Schrader of the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office.
“They were in a disagreement over driving habits,” Schrader said in a phone interview. “It was road rage incident.”
Newson allegedly drew on the other driver and threatened to kill him while driving on state Route 105, according to a social media post by the sheriff’s office. Newson pulled off onto Newskah Road, while the victim kept driving and called 911, Schrader said.
“The call came out at 15:38 hours,” Schrader said. “Ten minutes later we (were) basically on scene.”
Both sheriff’s deputies and the Aberdeen Police Department responded, Schrader said. The victim’s car was located some ways down Newskah Road, Schrader said, and officers were able to observe the vehicle with a drone.
“We saw the vehicle from a distance and we stayed back. Aberdeen PD launched their drone and was able to search the vehicle,” Schrader said. “We did a K9 trail from that location into the brush. That’s where we found the suspect.”
Deputy Sean McKechnie and working dog Titus were able to locate Newson in thick brush about 450 yards off the road, Schrader said.
“As they were approaching with the dog, they were able to hear him moving,” Schrader said. “They began a dialogue with him and got him to peacefully surrender.”
Newson was arrested after about an hour of negotiating, Schrader said, and was taken to jail on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm.
“He had past felony convictions that prohibited him from possessing a firearm,” Newson said.
Newson is currently detained in county jail. Further charges of felony harassment and second-degree assault are in the process, Schrader said.
“If you’re contacted by someone of this nature, go to a populated area and/or contact law enforcement,” Schrader said. “It was a good team effort with both agencies combined.”
Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.
