Boca Raton Landlord, Charged With Demanding Rent at Gunpoint

Eugene Weinraub (Photo: Palm Beach County Jail)

A Boca Raton man was behind bars Wednesday after allegedly holding his tenant at gunpoint and demanding rent, as well as entering the premises illegally.

Eugene Weinraub, 80, was arrested by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies at a property in Lantana following the incident, which occurred Tuesday at 2:56 p.m. on Hypoluxo Road. According to a police report, two alleged victims provided statements as well as video footage prior to Weinraub’s arrest.

The report stated that Weinraub “arrived at the residence unannounced” and began knocking on windows. At some point, the report said, the two tenants opened the door, only to see the landlord approaching them with what appeared to have been a firearm in his right hand while demanding a rent payment.

Weinraub is accused of pointing the gun at the two tenants “in a threatening manner” and allegedly using the weapon to strike the phone out of one of the tenant’s hands when he attempted to dial 911. Weinraub then allegedly crossed the threshold of the front door and crossed into the residence “while continuing the point the firearm at both victims.”

It was unclear from the police report how the situation de-escalated, however deputies eventually arrived and arrested Weinraub at a business on Hypoluxo Road. He was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a weapon without intent to kill, and two counts of burglary of a dwelling while armed. The four charges resulted in combined bail being set at $25,000. Weinraub remained lodged in the Palm Beach County Jail on Wednesday in lieu of bail.