Boca Raton Men Set For Separate Appearances In Front Of Same Judge.
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher | BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The two men charged with felonies following exclusive reporting by BocaNewsNow.com are now set to appear in front of a judge in early June. Lotus residents Mitchell Schuman and Ari Brooks are set for separate appearances on June 1st.
According to records reviewed by BocaNewsNow.com, Mitchell Schuman is set for arraignment, while Ari Brooks is set for a “case disposition.” We note that “disposition” dates are often set then repeatedly reset. The entry of a disposition date does not necessarily mean that a plea or other conclusion is imminent.
Both Schuman and Brooks are charged with felony and misdemeanor counts in the apparent attack of a child caught on camera. As BocaNewsNow.com was first to report — then to publish video referenced in police reports — Schuman is accused of throwing a water bottle at a young child, then taking his cell phone. The official charges: Felony Robbery by Sudden Snatching, Misdemeanor Battery, Petit Theft, and Criminal Mischief. Brooks is accused of physically restraining the child as he attempted to retrieve his phone. He is also accused of taking part in the theft of the phone. Brooks is charged with Robbery By Sudden Snatching and Battery.
The child was allegedly performing wheelies on his e-bike in the community of Lotus on April 3rd which Schuman apparently found problematic. Video captured at the scene appears to show Schuman throwing a water bottle at the boy, then Schuman and Brooks taking part in various physical confrontations with the child. The child, whose parents live in separate homes in Saturnia Isles and Lotus, uses an e-bike to travel between the two residences. The child has been accused of poor behavior on his e-bike in neighboring Seven Bridges.
Authorities tell BocaNewsNow.com that it comes down to common sense: even if the child is poorly behaved, it’s against the law to touch a child, physically restrain a child, or throw something at a child. Prosecutors initially charged Mitchell Schuman with a misdemeanor, but reviewed the video recorded at the scene and determined that felony charges against Schuman and Brooks were appropriate. Other adults seen and heard at the scene have not been charged at this time.
Schuman is represented by attorney Matthew Shafran. Ari Brooks is represented by Attorney Flynn Bertisch. Neither Shafran nor Bertisch have reached out to BocaNewsNow.com regarding their clients.
