Boca Raton Police Arrest Indiana Woman Who Refused To Drop Knives.
BY: 24/7 CRIME DESK | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — An Indiana woman is being held on bond in the Palm Beach County Jail Tuesday after she allegedly used knives to threaten two men walking on Palmetto Park Road in broad daylight. No one was injured.
Boca Raton Police say Erica Cassidy of Kirkwood Avenue in Bloomington, Indiana was knocked to the ground by police around 10 a.m. on Monday after 911 received reports of a woman with knives. BocaNewsNow.com obtained the arrest report which we are publishing, below.
“On 10/21/2024 at approximately 1012 hours, I responded to the area of 500 E Palmetto Park Rd, Boca Raton Fl, Palm Beach County, in regards to an Aggravated Assault with a knife. Prior to arrival, Boca Raton Police Communications advised a white female wearing a short black dress threatened the victim with a knife. (She was) later identified by her Indiana license as Erica Cassidy. Upon arrival I observed a female matching the description walking westbound with black objects in her hands, immediately identified as two black pocketknives, that were closed. I then exited my marked patrol vehicle wearing my department issued patrol uniform which has department insignias on both shoulders, badge on the front and Police Boca Raton on the back. I gave a lawful command to Cassidy to stop and drop the two black knives in her hands. The female refused to comply and refused to drop the knives.
I then approached Cassidy’s from behind while she was walking away and grabbed both her wrists and again commanded her to drop the knives. The entire time, Cassidy continued to brace, tense and pull away from me. One knife fell to the ground while the second one I was able to strip fron her grasp and toss it on the ground away from us. As I prepared to place the handcuffs on Cassidy’s right wrist, she was able to pull her left arm free. While still controlling her right wrist with the handcuff on, I again told Cassidy to stop resisting but she continued. I then wrapped my arms around Cassidy’s upper body, lifting her off her feet and guided her to the ground. I was then able to place her left wrist into the handcuff. I immediately put her in a seated position and placed her away from both knives. The handcuffs were then checked for tightness and double locked. In addition, Boca Raton Fire Rescue arrived on scene and checked for any medical concerns. Contact was then made with the victim who was at the corner of NE 5th Ave and E Palmetto Pafk Rd. The victim advised he was walking eastbound on Palmetto Park Road when Cassidy was walking westbound.
The victim advised Cassidy had a knife in her hand with the blade affixed out. The victim advised Cassidy then stated she was going to stick him with it. The victim advised he then walked into the roadway to create distance from Cassidy as she walked by him continuing to yell things at him. Contact was then made with another witness who advised while walking on E Palmetto Park Rd, Cassidy walked by him screaming stay away from me, while holding two pocketknives in her hands.
Erica Cassidy was read her Miranda Rights from a pre-printed card which she understood her rights. Post Miranda, Cassidy advised she was walking down the street when she saw the victim talking on the cellphone. Cassidy advised she thought he said something to her while she was walking. When asked if she said anything to him while walking by him, she stated I don’t remember. Cassidy was also asked why she refused to comply with police when she was commanded to drop the knives and stop walking, her response was I did not want to drop the knives and wanted to walk to the bank.
After my investigation, I found probable caus to arrest Erica Cassidy for the crime of Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon pursuant to F.S.S. 784.021 (1) (A), after she actually threatened the victim with a knife and had the ability to carry out the threat. In addition, Erica Cassidy was charged with Resisting officer without violence, pursuant to F.S.S. 843.02(1), after she refused to obey lawful orders during the investigation. Cassy was then transported to Boca Raton Police Department for the booking process and then later transported to Palm Beach County Jail.”
Cassidy is being held on $3,000 bond as of mid-afternoon Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
