Angry Mom Hunts Down Motorist Who Threatened Her

MIAMI, FL — Juan Jose Vargas picked on the wrong mom in the wrong van, according to Miami-Dade police. Vargas allegedly flashed a handgun at a Miami area mother and her four kids in Thursday afternoon traffic along Coral Way. She in turn followed his black Chevrolet in and out of traffic until police caught up with the 41-year-old.

Now Vargas is facing five counts of aggravated assault — one for each child and the mom behind the wheel of their family van.

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The unusual road rage incident began on Coral Way and ended along the Palmetto Expressway at NW 25th Street, according to Detective Lee Cowart of the Miami-Dade Police Department.

See also Woman Shoots Man Trying To Steal Car With Her Kids Inside: Police

"The defendant became irate at the victim for allegedly cutting him off," Cowart told Patch. "He produces a firearm and pointed it at the victim while they were stopped at a red light."

Armed with her cellphone, the mother dialed 9-1-1 and followed Vargas in the northbound lanes of State Road 826 from what police described as a safe distance until police caught up.

That was about 50 blocks later.

"The officer conducted a felony traffic stop and the defendant was taken into custody," Cowart explained. "The firearm was located on the driver's side door panel."

Cowart said Vargas later admitted to threatening the woman at gunpoint. The mother was not identified by police.

"Even though this ended up happy for the victim — not so much for Mr. Vargas — we don't advise anybody following somebody after a road rage incident," Cowart added.

Juan Jose Vargas photo courtesy Miami-Dade Police Department