A Leesburg man was arrested for assault after allegedly threatening two people with an airsoft rifle when told not to follow so closely when driving.
Police responded to Dura-Stress Inc., located at 11325 County Road 44, regarding an argument involving a firearm at about 6:05 a.m. Monday, according to a case report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
The report stated that prior to arrival, the deputy was informed the suspect, identified as 18-year-old Trini Lovosier Thomas, pointed a firearm at a female victim and stated, “I will kill you and I’m not afraid to go to jail.”
After arriving at the scene, the deputy spoke with two victims, one of which advised she was pulling into work on the dirt road when Thomas began following too close to her vehicle. Once she parked, the victim got out of her vehicle and spoke to Thomas, telling him that he should not be following too close to anyone, the report said.
Thomas proceeded to get out of his car and went to the trunk. The victim heard a knock that sounded like the cocking of a round right before Thomas pulled the firearm from the trunk and pointed it at her and her friend, the second victim. The friend stepped in between her and Thomas. He then put the weapon back and walked into work, the report said.
The victim’s friend was questioned about the incident and corroborated her story, also stating that he heard a round being cocked and saw the gun pointed at him, the report said.
Thomas stated that when he parked across from the victim, he opened his driver door to put on his work boots when the victim approached and threatened to beat him should he follow her that close again. In response, he said he got out of his car and grabbed a gun from the passenger seat before walking to the rear of his vehicle, the report said.
Thomas stated he told the victim she needed to be careful who she threatens like that and placed the gun in the back of his vehicle, but he did not point it at the victim and did not touch it further, the report said.
Deputies found the firearm in the trunk of the vehicle with a magazine inside where Thomas claimed to have placed it. It appeared to be an AR-15 short barrel rifle, but further inspection confirmed it to be a Crossman air soft rifle, the report said.
Thomas was subsequently arrested for two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. He was transported to the Lake County Jail and released after posting $20,000 bond.
