Police said the suspect used racial and homophobic slurs, spat on a man and damaged property before fleeing officers.
SOUTHINGTON, Conn. — A 32-year-old Kent man faces a charge of intimidation based on bigotry or bias after police said he directed racial and homophobic slurs at another man, spat in his face and damaged property during a disturbance at a Southington Walmart.
Matthew Colby was arrested in connection with the Nov. 1 incident at the Walmart on Queen Street, according to Southington police. Officers were called to the store at about 11:23 a.m. for a report of an active disturbance. Police said the investigation led to charges involving the alleged confrontation, property damage and Colby’s departure from the shopping plaza.
Police said Colby approached a man in the parking lot and directed racial and homophobic slurs at him. Investigators said Colby then spat in the man’s face several times. Authorities have not publicly identified the man who was targeted.
Colby then went inside the Walmart and damaged several merchandise displays, police said. Investigators said he later left the store and kicked two parked vehicles, damaging both of them. Police did not release an estimate of the damage to the store displays or vehicles.
Officers arriving at the shopping plaza saw a suspect leaving in a white Ford Fusion that did not have visible registration plates, police said. An officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to pull over and fled the area, according to authorities.
Police later identified Colby as the suspect after investigators released a photograph while seeking information about the incident. Authorities obtained an arrest warrant after the investigation, according to police.
Colby was charged with second-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, two counts of second-degree breach of peace and two counts of second-degree criminal mischief. He also faces charges of reckless driving, failure to obey an officer’s signal, engaging police in pursuit and failure to display a number plate.
The charges are allegations and do not establish guilt. Police have not publicly released additional information about the man who was confronted or described any injuries stemming from the encounter in the reports reviewed for this story.
The arrest followed several days of investigation after the Nov. 1 disturbance. Authorities had sought the public’s help identifying the suspect before announcing that Colby had been taken into custody.
Author note: Last updated Nov. 8, 2026.