Mom With 9-Year-Old In Car Waved Fake Gun During Thruway Road Rage: Police

RAMAPO, NY — A heated confrontation during a historic heatwave led to the arrest of a New Jersey mom, according to cops.

A reported road rage incident in Montebello on Thursday night ended with the arrest of a 32-year-old and the recovery of an imitation pistol, according to the Ramapo Police Department.

Police said officers responded at about 8:30 p.m. to the area of Hemion Road and Lackawanna Trail in the Village of Montebello after a report of a road rage incident that possibly involved a handgun. Investigators said the encounter began on the northbound Exit 14B off-ramp of the New York State Thruway and escalated as the vehicles traveled to Hemion Road and Lackawanna Trail.

Before officers arrived, the suspect had left the scene, police said. A description of the suspect and vehicle was broadcast, and a short time later officers found the vehicle traveling east on Route 59.

After an investigation, officers arrested the woman in connection with the incident, police said. During the investigation, officers recovered an imitation pistol believed to have been used during the encounter, according to police.

Investigators said the woman's 9-year-old daughter was inside the vehicle during the incident. The NJ mom was charged with two counts of second-degree menacing, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, endangering the welfare of a child, and second-degree harassment.