Detroit cop charged in Birmingham road
rage incident
L.L. Brasier, Detroit Free Press Staff Writer
Off-duty Detroit Police officer accused of
felonious assault after fellow motorist tells police he waved a .40 Glock at
him following a traffic altercation. Oscar Woodcum posted bond this morning
A Detroit Police officer was arraigned this
morning on felonious assault and weapon charges following a road rage incident
on Woodward in Birmingham, where he reportedly threatened a fellow motorist
with a .40 Glock handgun.
Oscar Woodcum, 43, of Wixom appeared in 48th
District Court this morning and posted a $20,000 bond, 10 percent. He will be
back in court Oct. 14.
According to police and prosecutors, Woodcum,
off-duty at the time, was traveling southbound on Woodward about 7 p.m. Oct. 3
when he cut off a fellow motorist near Maple and Woodward. The other driver,
53, in an SUV with his wife in the car, pulled up beside him and told police
Woodcum pulled the gun and waved it at him.
The man called 911 and followed Woodcum down
Woodward into Royal Oak, where police arrested Woodcum and located the gun.
Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor Paul
Walton said this morning that Woodcum was charged with two counts of felonious
assault and one count of brandishing a weapon.
Birmingham Police Chief Don Studt said it's
never a good idea to pick a fight with a stranger – especially while driving.
"Slow down and turn right or turn
left," Studt said Friday. "But absolutely don't engage the other
person. If it's serious enough, call the police."
Woodcum has been suspended with pay pending
the outcome of the incident. Detroit Police media relations officer Keisha
Beasley-Dorsey said today the department has no comment about the incident.
The Detroit Police Department's Internal
Affairs Division has been notified and is investigating.
