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NORWALK, Conn. A female driver who gave a quick honk-honk as she went around a van Sunday was followed by the other driver through Norwalk streets, Norwalk police say. He eventually rammed her car as she sat at an intersection. She got his license plate number as he fled, yelling obscenities at her.
Georgios Nikiforides, 41, of 23 Fairview Ave., was arrested and charged with driving with intent to harass or intimidate, evading responsibility and failure to display a plate or sticker.
Police say the woman had been going south on Route 7 and came up from behind Nikiforides at Exit 1. He was positioned to take a left turn from the right lane, and she squeezed around him to go right. As she did, she gave a quick honk-honk to let him know where she was, according to Sgt. Lisa Cotto.
Instead of going left, Nikiforides followed her up Grandview Avenue, tailgating her onto Stuart Avenue and Girard Street, Cotto said. She got scared and pulled over to let him pass on Reservoir Avenue, but he pulled over, too, behind her. She dialed 911. The 911 operator told her to keep moving, stay on the line and a police officer would find her.
She did but had to stop at a traffic light at Ponus and New Canaan Avenues. Nikiforides allegedly rammed her there and then drove past her, yelling obscenities and gesturing, Cotto said. Her car was damaged.
She described the van to police, including a Woodpecker decal on the hood, and provided the license plate number. Police found Nikiforides at his home. They say the van, which had the woodpecker decal, was still warm. There were fresh marks on his front bumper, and the empty license plate holder on the front bumper was askew. Cotto said Nikiforides appeared to have been drinking. He denied everything and said he did not have a front license plate because, "I'm a rebel and I don't want one."
Nikiforides has been arrested previously, according to The Hour. The newspaper says Nikiforides was accused of yelling racial slurs in front of children in a camp in July 2010. He was pepper-sprayed and Tasered in March 2010 after allegedly yelling racial slurs to workers in the West Avenue Dunkin Donuts.
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