Man Accused Of Hurling Racist Slur, Threatening: Middletown PD

MIDDLETOWN, CT — A Clinton man is accused of hurling a racist slur and threatening a man with a wrench during an argument in a parking lot in Middletown, according to police.

David Care, 54, was arrested and charged with second-degree threatening, second-degree reckless endangerment, and second-degree breach of peace. He was released after posting a $5,000 bond, according to state judicial records.

Police responded to the Big Lots parking lot at 820 Washington St. on Dec. 26 on the report of a disturbance. The caller told police a man tried to run him over with his truck and called him the “n-word,” according to the police report.

The responding officer saw a black Cadillac customized dually pickup truck speeding out of the parking lot and nearly striking another vehicle, according to police. The officer pulled alongside the truck and the driver, Care, began yelling out the window while pointing in the direction of Big Lots, the report states.

There was a group of about seven people in the parking lot who were holding their cell phones, according to police. Care confirmed to police that he was arguing with the victim, who later gave him “the finger,” according to the report.

The victim told police he was backing into a parking spot as a black Cadillac truck came around the corner. He told Care to just go by, and Care tried to go around but was unable to fit, according to the report.

The report states Care “became frustrated” and got out of the truck and approached the victim with a large wrench. The victim got out of his vehicle and the two argued before Care threatened to killed him with the wrench, according to police.

The victim told police Care called him the “n-word” and spit in his face, according to the report. At that point, the victim called police and Care got back into the truck. The victim said Care “burnt out in reverse” and almost ran him over, according to the report.

The victim said he grabbed the bed of the truck as Care sped around the parking lot trying to shake him off, according to police. While being driven around, the trailer hitch receiver on Care’s truck hit the victim’s shin, the report states.

A witness provided a written sworn statement that confirmed the victim’s version of events and several witnesses at the scene showed police video of the incident, according to the report.

Care is due in court May 5.