Cops: Drunk Man Tried to Throw Rock at Police Car, Damaged Civilian’s Vehicle Instead

Derrick George Faris (Photo: Palm Beach County Jail)

A drunk man attempted to throw a rock at a police car, missed, and hit a civilian’s vehicle instead, Delray Beach police allege.

Derrick George Faris, 42, of Delray Beach, was taken into custody by officers on May 29, 2026, following the incident, which took place just after 7 p.m. He faces misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief involving damage between $200 and $1,000, disorderly intoxication, and violating the city’s open container ordinance.

According to a police report filed this week, an officer was stopped at a red light at the intersection of South Congress Avenue and Lowson Boulevard at approximately 7:12 p.m. when he heard a “loud bang.” Simultaneously, the driver of the vehicle in the next lane exited his car, appearing confused. The driver told the officer that he heard an object strike his vehicle and, upon inspection, noticed a fresh dent with a white powdery residue on the passenger-side rear door, which police noted was consistent with a rock strike.

The arresting officer and a second police officer stopped at the same intersection, both reported hearing or seeing an object strike the victim’s car, the report said. During the resulting investigation at an adjacent Mobil gas station, a witness flagged down the officer and pointed out Faris, who was standing shirtless on the south side of the station wearing red shorts and holding a 24-ounce Corona Light beer can, according to the report. In a sworn written statement, the witness alleged that Faris threw a rock aiming for the police officer’s cruiser, but missed and hit the civilian’s vehicle instead.

Management at the gas station informed police that their new security camera system was down and not recording at the time of the incident, however police relied on the witness statement – and their own observations – to make the arrest.

The responding officer said in his report that Faris displayed “clear signs of intoxication,” including slurred speech, glassy eyes, a strong odor of alcohol, and behavior consistent with impairment. Faris allegedly ignored multiple orders to discard his beer and repeatedly tried to flee the scene on a bicycle after being told he was being detained, according to the report.

Faris denied throwing the object when questioned by police. He was brought to the Palm Beach County Jail and later released after posting $1,500 bond. A court date was set for June 23, 2026.