Road rage incident involving firearm

A Sugarloaf man was arrested Wednesday evening after he pointed a gun at a Big Pine couple on a motorcycle.

The incident began at about 6:15 p.m. when 75 year old Matthew Ferro, in his cream colored Cadillac pickup truck, reportedly passed Christy and Robert Velasquez who were traveling southbound on a motorcycle on the Seven Mile Bridge.

When the two vehicles reached the Bahia Honda Bridge, the motorcycle reportedly passed the truck followed by the truck passing the motorcycle. Rude gestures were exchanged. The victims say when the truck passed them, they were forced off the road onto the shoulder, almost crashing their motorcycle.

Both vehicle continued south. At the intersection of Key Deer Boulevard and U.S. One, Ferro pulled up beside the couple on the motorcycle and another verbal confrontation took place. At that point, Ferro allegedly pulled out a gun and pointed it at them. At that point, the couple on the motorcycle called 911 for assistance.

Deputies Jorge Prince and David Lariz were northbound on their way to the call when they spotted the cream colored truck southbound at the 23 mile marker. They pulled it over, holding Ferro while they investigated the report. A fully loaded Ruger revolver was located on the floorboards of the truck. Deputy Prince then met with the victims, getting their account of events. After speaking with all parties involved, the deputies arrested Ferro. He was charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and he was taken to jail.