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Upset at honking, man pulls gun — then tries to hide license plate with paper towels

(Photo courtesy of Salt Lake County Jail) Rocky Dean Conner

A Magna man was charged Monday for pulling a gun on a motorist who honked at him — after he nearly hit two pedestrians.

Rocky Dean Conner, 69, of Magna was charged in 3rd District Court with felony assault, robbery and obstructing justice after an Aug. 25 incident near 3100 South and 8800 West.

Charging documents say a driver saw Conner swerve toward her daughters, who were crossing the street. After the driver honked, Conner backed up, “nearly colliding” with the other car.

The husband of the other driver got out of their car and told Conner “to pay attention.” Charging documents say Conner then left his vehicle with a gun, pointed it at the husband and walked toward the driver — and tried to take her cellphone. She yelled for her husband to call the police.

Documents say Conner then covered his license plate with brown paper towels. But the other driver had already taken pictures of it and Conner. Police used them to track and find him.

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