Trial Begins For Road Rage Shooting Case

Road rage is generally rather harmless: people yelling profanity from the inside of their cars, honking their horn and maybe some hand gestures.
Three years ago, a road rage incident at the intersection of Diego Drive and Glades Road  ended with gunfire and two people wounded. There has been much controversy surrounding this case. Last week, the trial began for the accused shooter, Wayne Tover, and a jury will decide whether or not his act of violence was justifiable.
On the night of Sept. 18, 2010, the suspected shooter was driving his convertible when he pulled out in front of another car heading toward Judge Winikoff Road.
Evidently he was being honked at for going “too slow” by the driver behind him so he came to a full stop and stepped out of his vehicle.
Shortly after, hand-gestures were made by the occupants of the other car, who then started to drive past him.
Minutes later, the same driver was stopped at a red light at the Diego Drive intersection, when Tover pulled alongside her and that is when the shots began.
The shooter was charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, and one count of shooting into an occupied vehicle.
If convicted of aggravated battery with a firearm, he could be sentenced to 25 years to life. The trial started Monday and it has been said that it should take about a week and a half.
Read more about this case in the Sun-Sentinel.
Tover’s motion to dismiss on “Stand Your Ground” was denied by the Court, which left the defense open to him for trial. Read the appellate decision (pdf) below:
[gview file=”https://westbocanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/4D12-278.op_.pdf”]

Bank Robbed in West Boca

robberA local bank branch in West Boca was robbed on Monday. The published photo of the alleged robber is on the right side of this post. If anyone recognizes this individual please contact the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office.
We are very familiar with the staff of this local bank and extend our best wishes to them. For their privacy we are not mentioning their name or specific location.
On the bright side there did not appear to be any weapons displayed. The individual handed a note to the teller who then handed over the money in the drawer.

Car Arsons

The Sheriff has reportedly arrested two young people on a string of car fires. The incidents mostly occurred west of 441 and as far west as Boca Winds.
The accused include Bryan MacDonald, age 22 from Powerline Road:

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And Rose Cohen, 18, from near 441 and West Boca Medical Center.

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There may be more arrests in the near future.

Chris Farnell Arrested?

The Sun Sentinel reports that Chris Farnell, an Olympic Heights alum, was arrested Monday. The mug shot reflects injuries consistent with the report of physical conflict with police.

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Farnell has a Facebook page, though most of it is private. We did find a couple photos that seem to match the mug shot.

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The Sheriff’s website also indicates the arrest occurred. It is reported that deputies found Farnell and others drinking alcohol at a park, and they had an encounter specifically with him. It is unclear if others were also charged.
Farnell was charged with marijuana possession, underage alcohol possession, and resisting an officer with violence.
West Boca News cannot verify the accuracy of the charges. This case could be interesting because Farnell potentially has several witnesses who could testify in his favor.

"Armed" Robbery at Chipotle

The Sun-Sentinel reports that a couple men robbed the Chipotle restaurant in the Westwinds of Boca plaza (Glades & 441).
We would call it a genuine armed robbery but they apparently used plastic guns. Regardless this must have been terrifying for the employees, who were threatened and locked in the freezer. And it appears they have been charged with armed robbery.
One of the men accused is Junior Arteaga of East Boca.

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