Boca Raton Police Officers Allege Suspect Threatened Them With Gun During Domestic Call

Ricardo J. Del Rio (Photo: Palm Beach County Jail)

A 25-year-old man is accused of racking the slide of a loaded handgun in a threatening manner toward two Boca Raton police sergeants during a domestic disturbance call, according to a police report filed in court this week.

Ricardo J. Del Rio, of Lake Worth, was arrested early Monday and charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, a third-degree felony. According to the report, officers responded to a domestic disturbance at an apartment on North Military Trail, just south of Clint Moore Road, around 2:23 a.m. April 13. Del Rio allegedly stood with two sergeants outside the residence and was heard using foul language toward them before going back inside.

Through a sliding glass door, the two officers said they observed him rack the slide of a Glock 19 9mm pistol in what they described as an “angry and threatening manner.” Both sergeants then ran for cover, drew their service weapons and ordered him to come outside, the report stated. Del Rio complied and was taken into custody without further incident.

A protective sweep of the apartment found a loaded handgun on a bathroom counter in one of the bedrooms, the report said. It was collected as evidence.

The affidavit identifies the Glock’s owner as the alleged victim in the domestic disturbance, who told investigators the gun had been on his bed earlier while officers were on scene. He said he did not give Del Rio permission to take it, but declined to pursue theft charges, according to the report. No one else had access to the firearm, he stated. No charges were filed as a result of the underlying domestic investigation, records showed.

Del Rio remained lodged in the Palm Beach County Jail on Thursday in lieu of $50,000 combined bail on the two charges.