SAUGERTIES – Police in Saugerties have arrested a Purling man on charges of menacing and three felony counts of criminal possession of a weapon in connection with a reported road rage incident that occurred on Route 212 in the Town of Saugerties at 7:30 in the morning on Tuesday, July 6.
The complainant told police that another driver, later identified as Douglas Melka, 30, pulled alongside his vehicle screaming about his driving and used several racial slurs toward him.
The victim told officers Melka followed him into the parking lot of Dunkin Donuts on Ulster Avenue in the Village of Saugerties, pulled a handgun and threatened him.
Melka was located nearby where police found him in possession of three unregistered handguns, all loaded with ammunition.
The “ghost guns” lacked any identifying serial numbers as required by law.
Melka was arrested and processed at Saugerties Police headquarters, arraigned in village justice court and released.
