EP man charged with misdemeanors in road rage incident

An Eden Prairie man has been charged with two misdemeanors following a road rage incident earlier this week.

John J. Kleckner, 57, faces charges of fifth-degree assault and disorderly conduct, according to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court.

Eden Prairie police responded to a road rage report at 4 p.m. on Monday, June 10, at the Lake Place Apartments, located in the 11400 block of Anderson Lakes Parkway. While en route, officers were informed that one individual had displayed a gun.

According to the criminal complaint, Kleckner told police he attempted to change lanes on Preserve Boulevard, but another vehicle sped up, preventing him from doing so. He pulled alongside the car to try to wave the vehicle back so he could make the lane change. Kleckner said he was so close he could touch the other vehicle, and the driver rolled down his window, swore at him, and made a rude gesture.

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Kleckner reportedly followed the other driver into the apartment complex parking lot, where they began arguing. Kleckner told police he wasn’t sure if the other driver would get out of his car, so he grabbed his .380-caliber gun from a backpack. He said he didn’t intend for the other driver to see the gun, but the driver did see it.

The other driver told police he was driving east on Prairie Center Drive and signaled to turn right onto Preserve Boulevard when Kleckner cut him off. He said Kleckner hung his head out of his window and screamed at him. The driver stated that he turned east onto Anderson Lakes Parkway, where Kleckner pulled in front of him, forcing him into the middle of the road while continuing to scream. He said he saw Kleckner turn into the Lake Place Apartments and followed him, parking alongside him.

The driver reported to officers that Kleckner claimed to be a former police officer and “knows the law,” while yelling and swearing at him. The driver reportedly saw Kleckner take a gun out of a bag, hold it up, and then put it back down. At this point, the driver told Kleckner he was calling the police. He told police he felt Kleckner was threatening to shoot him.

After the other driver’s statement, police arrested Kleckner. A search of his vehicle revealed two loaded handguns and multiple magazines in a backpack on the front passenger seat floorboard. Kleckner does have a permit to carry, which allows individuals to legally carry a firearm in public. Permit holders must pass background checks and complete firearms training courses.

He was released on $6,000 bail on June 11. If convicted, he faces up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine for each charge. His next hearing is scheduled for July 10 at the Ridgedale Regional Center in Minnetonka.