New Details In Event That Led To Lockdown, Major PBSO Response.
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher
DELRAY BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2021 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — New information was just obtained by BocaNewsNow.com concerning the incident that led to a lockdown at American Heritage School in Delray Beach last week.
A police report obtained by BocaNewsNow.com reveals that Sergey Tarkhanov was on campus for 17 minutes before a teacher spotted the man, followed the man, determined that he did not belong on campus, then notified security. While school was over for the day at the time of the incident, PBSO reports that 200 students were still on campus taking part in afterschool activities and sports. The lockdown led to a huge rollout by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office which also deployed a helicopter. The American Heritage security force includes several off-duty, armed Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies.
This is the text of the police report written by a responding Deputy and filed in the arrest of Tarkhanov:
“On 12-09-21 at 1714 hours, I responded to a suspicious incident at American Heritage School, 6200 Linton Blvd, in unincorporated Delay Beach FL 33484. The initial complaint was that an unknown white male was seen walking on school grounds. When the male was confronted by school staff, he ran from staff throughout the campus before being detained by campus security.
Upon my arrival, I met with a teacher, Thomas Brown, who initially saw the unknown male, later
identified by his Florida license as Sergey Tarkhanov. Brown stated he was driving his vehicle north on the southwest side of the school on Ginger Tr near the fine arts building. Brown observed Tarkhanov
standing in the roadway of the parking lot and he appeared “off’. Brown parked his vehicle and
approached Tarkhanov who was now in the patio area near the dining hall. Brown asked Tarkhanov if he
needed any help which he initially ignored him then replied that he was looking for his sister. Brown
continued to ask how he could help but Tarkhanov began walking away from him. Brown followed
Tarkhanov who started walking deeper into the campus. Brown told Tarkhanov he needed to leave in
which Tarkhanov began to run away from Brown who alerted security. It should be noted that there were
after-school events going on at the school and approximately 200 students were still present.
I spoke to a security officer, Andrew Meilman, who was working at the school. Meilman was alerted that a
white male (Tarkhanov) was running from school staff through the campus after being told to leave.
Meilman and his supervisor, Lawrence Harvey, stopped Tarkhanov near the uniform store where he was
apprehended without further issue.
I also spoke to Harvey, who was with Meilman when they were alerted that Tarkhanov was running from
school staff. As they drove around the front of the admissions building, he observed Tarkhanov running
towards them near the uniforms building. Harvey and Meilman confronted Tarkhanov where they ordere
him to the ground. Tarkhanov complied with their commands and was detained. Harvey asked Tarkhanov
how he got on campus which he replied that he hopped a fence.
I met with Brown and other school staff and reviewed the surveillance video. Tarkhanov was first
captured on video walking south through the campus between the baseball fields and admissions building at 1657 hours. Tarkhanov continued south near the track/soccer field then walked west. Tarkhanov continued west through the parking lot before heading north on Ginger Trail where Brown made contact with him at 1702 hours.
Tarkhanov spoke Russian and little English so D/S Pavlov #28994 assisted to translate. Tarkhanov stated
he was going for a walk and made a wrong turn. He was walking from his home in Kings Point, when
someone started yelling at him. They continued to yell at him to stop so he started running from them.
Tarkhanov lives in Kings Point with his mother which is across the street from American Heritage School.
Tarkhanov was arrested pursuant to Florida Statute 810.097(2); Trespassing on School Grounds After
Warning. Tarkhanov did unlawfully enter or remain upon the campus or facility of American Heritage
School, after Brown, a teacher, had directed him to leave said campus. Tarhanov also did not have a legitimate business on the campus or any other authorization, license, or invitation to enter after it was discovered he did not have any family members who attended the school.”
Tarkhanov was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail and later released on his own recognizance pending a court appearance.
