Man asked to wear mask hits, yells racial slur at Breakers nightclub security guard
Palm Beach FL April 28 2021 A 54-year-old West Palm Beach man was charged with several offenses after police say he assaulted a Black security officer who asked him to put on a mask on at a Breakers property.
According to the police report, officers responded to a call at approximately 8 p.m. on April 16 from Main Street by The Breakers, 223 Royal Poinciana Way, about a disturbance.
A security officer from The Breakers hotel told police he went to Main Street because a customer had refused to wear a mask inside the cafe and boutique, while hurling profanities at the employees.
When the security guard approached the customer, who was still refusing to wear a mask, the man yelled: “Who do you think you are? You are just a (racial slur) officer,” and screamed profanities at both the store clerk and the guard.
When the security guard asked the customer to leave the store, the man ran into the guard and “tried to tackle him,” the report said. He then took the radio from the guard and smashed it into the ground. The man also slapped the security guard on the back before slipping and falling to the floor.
The guard did not react and the customer attempted to leave the scene before police arrived, the report said.
The incident was confirmed by security surveillance video, the report said.
The Breakers said it would cost more than $2,000 to replace the damaged radio.
The man was arrested and charged with robbery and criminal mischief, both felonies, in addition to misdemeanor charges of simple assault and disorderly conduct. He also was issued a no-contact order with the security guard.
He was released the day after his arrest on a $1,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on May 17.
Palm Beach Daily News
