BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2021 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A Boca Raton man, seemingly unhappy that he was told to wait in the front of the Apple Store in Boca Raton’s Town Center Mall, took a belt and swung the buckle repeatedly at a security guard.
He then followed the security guard throughout the store.
Anthony John Grillo of NW 12th Avenue in Boca Raton is now charged with assault with a deadly weapon (without the intent to kill) and resisting an officer without violence.
From the Boca Raton Police report:
“The victim stated that he told Grillo that he would have to wait at the front of the store to check-in. The victim said that Grillo removed his belt and began to swing it around in a threatening manner and stated,” I’m going to rip your face off.” The victim stated that Grillo then swung the belt at his face, attempting to strike him with the metal buckle end. The victim noted that the belt never made contact, but advised that the incident placed him in a well-founded fear of being harmed.”
“I then met with Grillo and read him his Constitutional Rights from my department issued Miranda Warnings card. It should be noted that Grillo was being uncooperative while obtaining his statement. Grillo stated that he was being followed around the store by the victim for no reason after purchasing a phone. Grillo noted that he knew the victim was a security guard. Grillo explained that the victim was “getting in his face,” but was unable to elaborate and continued to repeat that the victim was following him. Grillo stated that after he told the victim to stop following him, he removed his belt and said that he swung it at the victim because he was “coming at him.” Grillo was unable to elaborate on what he meant about the victim coming at him and continued to be uncooperative.”
Video surveillance, according to the police report, documents the entire event.
“I reviewed the Apple Store video surveillance that views the entire store from the register to the entrance. While reviewing the video, observed Grillo remove his belt and then began to swing it around with the metal buckle at the end. Grillo was yelling at the victim continued to approach him aggressively It should be noted that the incident occurred at a distance, but it was clear that Grillo was wielding the belt in an aggressive manner with the buckle at the end of it. At six minutes and forty-nine seconds in the video surveillance, observed Grillo swing the belt in the direction of the victim. Immediately after, Grillo walked towards the center of the mall walkway and puts his belt back on.”
Anthony John Grillo was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail and later released on $4,000 bond.
