Elmer Ramirez {BSO}
A man is facing an aggravated assault charge after allegedly pointing a firearm at a car full of teens following a “ding dong ditch” prank.
According to a Margate Police Department report, officers responded to a call on May 3 after a victim reported being followed by a vehicle that had pointed a gun at them as they drove westbound along Atlantic Boulevard near Margate Middle School.
Dispatchers from the Broward Sheriff’s Office advised officers that the suspect vehicle had made a U-turn and was now heading eastbound. An officer stationed near Atlantic Boulevard and State Road 7 soon spotted a car matching the victim’s description and conducted a high-risk traffic stop near Lakewood Circle.
Two individuals were in the Infiniti at the time of the stop, including a man later identified as Elmer Ramirez, 45, of Tamarac, who was seated in the front passenger seat.
According to the arrest report, Ramirez allegedly admitted to pointing his handgun at the victims but claimed he only intended to get them to stop, not to cause harm. He also told police the firearm was not chambered at the time.
Ramirez reportedly explained that he and his friend had set out in pursuit after the friend claimed someone was attempting to steal his vehicle. However, further investigation revealed that the teens had merely knocked on the man’s door in what appears to have been a game of “ding dong ditch.” No theft or attempted entry was reported.
The teens also captured the encounter on video. In the footage, the white Infiniti is seen cutting in front of their vehicle, and a passenger can be seen holding a dark object, believed to be the firearm.
The victim’s vehicle was occupied by five individuals, four of whom stated they wished to press charges, resulting in four separate assault with a deadly weapon charges against Ramirez.
Ramirez was arrested and transported to the Broward County Main Jail. He was later released after posting a $4,000 bond.
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