Arrest made in Cape ‘road rage’ incident
A Punta Gorda man faces multiple charges after he reportedly forced another vehicle into a parking lot off Del Prado Boulevard Wednesday and then battered three of its female occupants in what police are calling a road rage incident.
Christopher Nelson Velez, 40, of 3417 Peace River Drive, was charged with one count of throwing a deadly missile, two counts of burglary with battery, and three counts of battery in the encounter that began on Viscaya Parkway shortly before 10 a.m.
Cape Coral police say their investigation revealed that Velez “was driving recklessly near the victim’s car” while driving eastbound on Viscaya.
“Both drivers exchanged words and “fingers.” As they continued eastbound on Viscaya Pkwy, Velez threw a protein shaker cup and hit the front right passenger (juvenile) in the right eye. Both vehicles turned right from Viscaya Pkwy onto Del Prado Blvd to travel southbound. Velez eventually cut the victim off, forcing her to turn into the Shoot Center parking lot,” a release from the CCPD states.
“Velez exited his van and approached the victim’s car. He reached into the open window and tried to pull her out but was unsuccessful. Velez attempted to remove the passenger (juvenile) from the left rear window. In doing so, the passenger’s tube top came off. The driver exited to stop Velez and was dragged by her shirt. The occupants of the vehicle exited the vehicle and started to hit Velez. Velez got into his van and left the area.”
Around 4:30 pm, on June 2, 2021, Velez and his van were found at the 7-Eleven at 1526 Chiquita Blvd S. at 4:30 p.m., police said.
Velez remained in the Lee County Jail this morning. Bond had not been set.
Source: CCPD