BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) —A Fort Lauderdale man is facing open felony cases in Palm Beach County after Boca Raton police say an occupied home burglary call early May 13 led to a perimeter search involving K9 officers, a drone team and a Broward Sheriff’s Office helicopter.
Zymell Horace Buddy Cheatham, 22, was arrested by the Boca Raton Police Department after officers responded to the area of 4915 Oxford Circle in Boca Raton shortly after midnight, according to arrest records and probable cause affidavits filed in court.
Police records say officers were called for several males reportedly breaking into an occupied dwelling. Boca Raton police units, including the department’s Tactical Team, K9 Unit and road patrol officers, set up a perimeter and began searching the area. The Broward Sheriff’s Office helicopter and the Boca Raton Police Department drone team assisted from above.
The case centers on a residential property in Boca Raton, where police said unknown male suspects entered a garage area without permission, authorization or lawful purpose. The garage was described in the affidavit as part of the residential property. Police said the suspects were observed inside the garage area and fled on foot after being confronted.
A person was inside the residence at the time, according to the affidavit.
During the investigation, police said another resident told officers he observed three suspects walking through his enclosed backyard. That resident provided surveillance video and a sworn recorded statement and told officers he wanted charges filed, according to the affidavit.
The search continued through the neighborhood. At about 1:19 a.m., the Broward Sheriff’s Office helicopter advised that it had observed a heat source matching a person along the east fence line of the neighborhood. A Boca Raton police K9 track followed, and one juvenile was apprehended on the east side of the neighborhood.
Police said that juvenile gave himself up.
Later, at about 2:03 a.m., the helicopter advised by radio that it observed another heat source believed to be two people in large brush in the backyard area of a private residence near Woodfield Boulevard. Boca Raton police said a K9 officer began another track with K9 Pely, while other officers searched the area.
The affidavit says officers gave multiple verbal commands for anyone in the area to come out, warning that the police dog would be used if they did not comply.
After a short search, police said Cheatham and a juvenile co-defendant got up from the bushes, ran and resisted arrest. The juvenile was apprehended by K9 Pely, according to police. Cheatham was apprehended a short distance later by officers and detained in handcuffs.
Police said a show-up identification was later conducted, and a witness positively identified Cheatham as a suspect who unlawfully entered the residence.
Court and booking records list charges including burglary of an occupied dwelling unarmed, contributing to the delinquency of a child, traveling across county or state lines to commit crimes, and resisting or obstructing an officer without violence. Two felony cases tied to Cheatham were filed May 14 in Palm Beach County court and remained listed as open in the docket records provided.
Court entries show probable cause was found at first appearance. Records also list no-contact orders involving victims, witnesses and a co-defendant. The cases were continued to a June 12 30-day return appearance and a July 9 initial case conference.
Booking records list Cheatham as released on surety bond on May 15.
The charges are allegations. Cheatham is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Review official Boca Raton arrests and mugshots, compiled from local law enforcement booking logs.
