Boca Raton Man Charged With Assaulting Firefighter at FAU Stadium

Thiago Abrante Da Costa (Credit: Palm Beach County Jail)

A Boca Raton man has been charged with assaulting a firefighter who was responding to a call to assist him at the Florida Atlantic University stadium while intoxicated, police allege in a report obtained by Boca Daily News.

Thiago Abrante Da Costa, 27, who resides on campus, is facing charged of simple assault, battery on a firefighter and disorderly intoxication following the Sept. 27 incident that occurred at about 8 p.m. at the stadium off Glades Road. According to a report from the campus police department, Steven Wright, a firefighter and paramedic with Boca Raton Fire-Rescue reported that he was assaulted while responding to a request for medical attention in the stands. The report states that Abrante Da Costa was “exhibiting signs of alcohol intoxication” when he had to be helped down to a lower level of the facility by first responders and a friend. At one point, Abrante Da Costa allegedly became angry and started yelling at Wright – who could not understand what he was saying – and ultimately began swinging his left fist at Wright and a colleague.

While on a stretcher, Wright had to restrain Abrante Da Costa in order to stop him from striking the first responders, the police report said. Abrante Da Costa was eventually placed in a Fire-Rescue truck until police arrived. Campus police later traveled to Boca Memorial Hospital where officers met with the firefighters and at least one Palm Beach County deputy sheriff who assisted the firefighters move Abrante Da Costa into a vehicle for transport to the hospital. The Fire-Rescue team needed to place leg restraints on Abrante Da Costa after he became “combative,” and at one point allegedly kicked the deputy in the left cheek. He was then placed in hobble restraints and brought to the emergency room, where he was treated and eventually cleared by medical personnel.

Abrante Da Costa was brought to the Palm Beach County Jail, and was eventually released on his own recognizance with conditions after about 19 hours in custody.