Investigators obtained an arrest warrant after a suspect allegedly damaged store displays and vehicles before refusing to stop for police.
SOUTHINGTON, Conn. — Southington police arrested a 32-year-old Kent man after an investigation into a Walmart disturbance in which a suspect allegedly damaged merchandise and vehicles, confronted another man and drove away when an officer tried to stop him.
Matthew Colby was identified as the suspect after the Nov. 1 incident at the Walmart on Queen Street, police said. The case began when officers were sent to the store at about 11:23 a.m. for an active disturbance. Authorities later released a photograph while working to determine the suspect’s identity and eventually obtained an arrest warrant.
When officers arrived at the shopping plaza, they saw a suspect leaving in a white Ford Fusion without visible registration plates, according to police. An officer attempted a traffic stop, but the driver did not pull over and fled the area.
The investigation expanded beyond the attempted stop as officers examined what had happened at the store and in its parking lot. Police said the suspect had approached another man outside the Walmart and directed racial and homophobic slurs at him before spitting in his face several times.
Authorities said the suspect also entered the store and damaged several merchandise displays. As he left, police said, he kicked and damaged two vehicles parked outside. No estimate of the property damage was released in the reports reviewed for this story.
Investigators later identified Colby and sought an arrest warrant. Police announced his arrest Nov. 6, several days after the disturbance. Authorities have not publicly identified the man who was confronted in the parking lot.
Colby faces second-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, two counts of second-degree breach of peace and two counts of second-degree criminal mischief. Police also charged him with reckless driving, failure to obey an officer’s signal, engaging police in pursuit and failure to display a number plate.
The range of charges reflects separate parts of the police account, including the alleged confrontation, property damage and the vehicle’s departure from the plaza. Each charge remains an allegation unless proven in court.
Police had appealed for information about the suspect as investigators worked to establish his identity following the incident. With Colby’s arrest, authorities said the warrant stemming from the Southington Walmart investigation had been served. No further developments in the case were announced in the reports reviewed.
Author note: Last updated Nov. 8, 2026.