A man is in custody in Oregon after allegedly pursuing a couple in reverse for over a mile in a road rage incident captured on dashcam footage. Arman K Hastings, 29, of Beaverton, was arrested Sunday morning following the encounter in an upscale Portland suburb.
During the chase, the victim reported to 911 dispatchers that Hastings repeatedly reached toward his coat as if he were grabbing a gun, fueling fears for their safety. The couple drove directly to the Beaverton Police Department, where officers apprehended Hastings. A subsequent search of his jacket revealed a black airsoft handgun.
Beaverton Police Officer Matt Henderson stated that the dashcam footage showed no indication that the victim's driving would have warranted such a response. "There was nothing from what we saw on the dash cameras that would have led to that… being any sort of reasonable response to it," Henderson told KOIN News. "It looked like the victim was driving appropriately."
The incident began shortly before 7:30 a.m. when the couple, driving a black Toyota Corolla, reported a disturbance. The victim informed 911 that the suspect's Subaru Forester was following them. Both front and rear-facing dash cameras on the couple's vehicle recorded Hastings' Subaru driving behind them in reverse.
As the couple attempted to flee the neighborhood, the victim told the dispatcher, "It seems like he has a f***ing weapon or something. He was trying to go under his clothes to grab one." Footage shows Hastings' vehicle driving inches behind the victims, with the wife heard screaming. Hastings then allegedly sped past the couple's car, cutting them off and blocking their path.
When the victim attempted a U-turn to escape, Hastings immediately followed in reverse, again accelerating toward their vehicle. The victim exclaimed to 911, "Oh my god... this guy is crazy. He's driving in reverse right now, trying to follow me in reverse! This guy is on drugs for sure! What is he doing?"
The pursuit continued until the couple reached the Beaverton Police Department, where Hastings was taken into custody without incident. Officers found the airsoft gun in his pocket.
Hastings has been booked into the Washington County Jail on charges of reckless driving and menacing. His motive remains unclear, as investigators found no evidence of a dispute that would have initiated the pursuit. Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about similar encounters involving Hastings to contact the Beaverton Police Department.