WININPEG - A 26-year-old man allegedly tried to smash a motorist's car with a hammer what appears to police to be a case of road rage in Winnipeg on Thursday.

Police said Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service members flagged down a passing police car to report the altercation as it was in progress.

Traffic was at a stop at about 4:30 p.m. when the driver of a Pontiac Sunfire exited his vehicle and swung a hammer at the back of a Dodge Neon, police said.

The driver of the Neon pulled ahead to avoid any damage to his vehicle, so the suspect returned to his car, pulled up beside the victim's car and missed in his second attempt to strike the Neon, police said.

The victim drove away.

A suspect was arrested nearby.

Police said Shawn Lloyd Sichewski is charged with assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, causing a disturbance and breach of recognizance.