The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is looking for a man who was involved in a road rage encounter and allegedly threatened a motorcyclist with a baseball bat.

  • Road rage incident was captured via Snapchat
  • Authorities looking for the public's help
  • Deputies say the suspect was driving an older model Nissan extended cab pickup truck

Part of the incident was recorded by witnesses using Snapchat.

Joseph Sudano, 62, said he was driving his motorcycle near the intersection of Hillsborough Avenue and Town 'N Country Boulevard at about 11:30 a.m. July 20.

Sudano said he was being tailgated by a man driving a gray pickup truck.

"He was driving too close, so that was kind of dangerous, and I said something to him, and he said something back," Sudano said.

He told deputies the driver went past him, slammed on his brakes and got out of his truck.

Sudano said the man grabbed a baseball bat from his truck and threatened him. As he was calling 911, Sudano said the suspect said, "I'll just take this instead" and grabbed the gold necklace off his neck.

"That's pretty gutsy to do that in broad daylight," he said.

Sudano said he doesn't regret speaking up when the man got too close.

"No, this is me," he said. "I'm sorry, I'm going to say something. If it's wrong, it's wrong. Because if I don't say something, he might hit somebody next time."

Investigators are hoping someone recognizes the man. They said the suspect was driving a 2000-2005, light gray Nissan extended-cab pickup truck with flared wheel wells.

Crimestoppers Tampa Bay is offering a $3,000 reward in this case.

Anyone with any information reference the suspect is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at (813) 247-8200 or anyone with any information regarding the identity and whereabouts of this suspect and who wants to be eligible for a cash reward is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477).