BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — A Boca Raton man arrested this week in connection with a violent confrontation at Red Reef Park had previously been arrested in multiple incidents involving public nudity on local beaches, according to police records.
Stewart Jay Schiff, 61, was taken into custody April 1 at 1400 N. Ocean Blvd. and charged with attempted robbery and battery on a person 65 years of age or older following an investigation tied to a January 2025 incident at the same location. Boca Raton Police Department records show the case remained open for more than a year while investigators processed DNA evidence that ultimately linked Schiff to the victim.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the case began when a 72-year-old man reported being threatened, chased, and thrown to the boardwalk during an attempted robbery at Red Reef Park. DNA collected from the victim’s clothing later matched Schiff, leading to his arrest.
Separate arrest records show Schiff had multiple prior encounters with law enforcement tied to incidents on beaches in Boca Raton and Delray Beach.
In July 2025, Boca Raton Police arrested Schiff for indecent exposure following an incident near 2500 N. Ocean Blvd. According to the affidavit, a witness reported a man exposing himself in a “vulgar manner” on the beach. The witness provided photos through a police community portal, and multiple officers identified Schiff from prior encounters.
Investigators wrote that the witness later identified Schiff in a photo lineup and provided a sworn statement describing the incident. Police determined there was probable cause to charge him under Florida’s indecent exposure statute.
That arrest was charged as a felony due to a prior conviction for the same offense. The affidavit notes Schiff had been arrested for indecent exposure in April 2017 and adjudicated guilty in Palm Beach County court, making subsequent violations subject to enhanced penalties.
Several months later, in December 2025, Schiff was arrested again—this time by Delray Beach Police—after officers responded to a report of a man naked on the beach near the 500 block of North Ocean Boulevard.
According to that affidavit, an officer located Schiff lying on his back along a beach access path while fully nude and engaging in a sexual act in public view. Police wrote that Schiff attempted to cover himself when approached, indicating awareness of the conduct.
The report states Schiff admitted to having prior offenses and acknowledged he had been warned that another violation could result in felony charges.
He was charged in that case with vulgar indecent public nudity as a second subsequent offense under Florida law.
Across the records, Schiff is repeatedly listed as unemployed and “at large” or without a fixed address in Boca Raton. Police documentation also shows prior law enforcement contact history tied to similar offenses.
The April 2026 arrest now moves beyond those prior cases, involving allegations of violence against an elderly victim rather than exposure-related charges.
For residents, the case highlights how separate incidents—some initially handled as standalone complaints—can later connect through investigative work, including DNA analysis and prior identification records.
Schiff was transported to the Palm Beach County Jail following his most recent arrest. The case will proceed through the court system.
Follow verified Boca Raton arrests and jail bookings sourced from official law enforcement reports.
