Surrey road rage incident leads to arrest, charges

The Surrey RCMP says a 37-year-old Aldergrove man has been charged in connection with a road rage incident involving a gun.

Police have since determined the firearm was a replica, however, the incident still prompted an arrest and the approval of two charges.

According to Mounties, police received “a complaint involving a firearm” in the area of Fraser Highway and 148 Street just after 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15.

The caller said they were threatened by a man they didn’t know during the incident, though were not physically hurt.

“This was a road rage incident where something happened between another victim and the accused. It was in regards to the driving behaviour of one of the people. This person then got out of their vehicle and pointed their firearm at the victim,” explained Corp. Sarbjit Sangha with the Surrey RCMP.

Despite a search of the area, police say they were unable to find the suspect.

Sangha says investigators were able to identify a suspect through CCTV footage. She says police arrested the man in the area of Fraser Highway and 271 Street a day after the incident, on Aug. 16.

The suspect’s home on 33A Avenue was then searched, with officers finding “the firearm used in the offence.”

“This was a very volatile incident for the victim and anyone who witnessed it. Thankfully no one was physically injured,” said Sangha.

“It’s definitely a very scary incident, especially for the victim … or anybody who was around at that time. And we do hear about road rage incidents all the time — like, every, single day, we do get multiple calls where people cut each other off or follow too closely. In most of those incidents, people decide to just walk away or ignore it or keep driving. But in this incident, this individual got out of his car and pointed a firearm at the victim.”

Dariusz Tonderys has been charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, and assault with a weapon. He was released on Aug. 17 with conditions,, including a prohibition of possessing any weapons, including imitation firearms or weapons.

“This person has other investigations with the police, that’s all I can tell you,” Sangha said of Tonderys.

The RCMP says additional charges could be recommended as the investigation progresses.

Mounties are asking anyone with information about what happened to call the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502.