Late Paralegal. Broken iPhone. Loud Voices. Injured Finger. Boca Cops Arrest…
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A Boca Raton law firm employee was arrested Tuesday after she tried to discipline a paralegal for being late. Melissa Rosen of the Gebeloff Law Firm allegedly snatched the iPhone being used by Paralegal Nia Hawkes to record Rosen disciplining her. Rosen, according to police, snatched the phone, threw the phone, then closed her office door while Hawke’s finger was in the way. Hawkes allegedly sustained a minor injury.
According to a Boca Raton Police Department report reviewed by BocaNewsNow.com, it all played out at 7431 North Federal Highway. And despite working in a law firm, Rosen didn’t use her right to remain silent when police asked her questions. Her responses led to jail. Here are key sections from the police report:
>> “Upon my arrival, I contacted Nia Hawkes who was visibly upset. Nia Hawkes stated that when she arrived at work, her co-worker, Melissa Rosen, began yelling at her regarding her arrival time. She further reported that Melissa Rosen has been verbally aggressive toward her on multiple occasions, a pattern of behavior that their supervisor, Steve Gebeloff, is aware of.
During this incident, Nia Hawkes attempted to record Melissa Rosen’s yelling using her Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max. Upon noticing this, Melissa Rosen became upset, demanded that Nia Hawkes stop recording, and forcibly took the phone from Nia Hawkes’ hand. A struggle ensued as Nia Hawkes attempted to retrieve her phone. During the altercation, Melissa Rosen managed to close her office door, trapping Nia Hawkes’ left ring finger in the process and causing a small laceration to her knuckle. Melissa Rosen then gained control of the phone and threw it to the floor, causing it to smash and become inoperable.”
“Melissa Rosen advised me that Hawkes walked up to her with her phone out as if she were recording their verbal dispute. Melissa admitted to taking the phone from Nia Hawkes but stated she did not throw it. After reading Melissa Rosen her constitutional rights, I asked her how she took possession of the phone, demonstrating by holding my hand out as if I were holding a phone. Melissa Rosen then reached out and said she ‘just took it’ from Nia Hawkes.”<<
Rosen denied throwing the phone or injuring Nia Hawkes, but Boca Raton Police apparently didn’t believe her, writing: “based on the investigation, Melissa Rosen was charged and taken into custody for robbery by sudden snatching and felony criminal mischief.”
Rosen was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail and later released on $2000 bond. A court date is pending.
