BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2025) — Police say an incident that began in Boca Raton late Feb. 22 ended with a man in custody after he jumped into the bed of a pickup truck and refused to exit, prompting the driver to cross into Deerfield Beach while calling 911.
According to a Boca Raton Police Department arrest affidavit, the encounter began near 3100 South Dixie Highway shortly after 11 p.m. The victim, identified in court records as Andrew O’Connell, told police he was leaving a friend’s home when an unknown man approached the front of his pickup truck inside the community.
O’Connell said the man stood near the hood of the vehicle, yelling and attempting to stop him. He told police the man was touching the hood, though he was unsure what was being said. As O’Connell attempted to drive away, police say the man moved toward the rear of the truck.
O’Connell reported seeing the man grab onto the back of the pickup. Fearing he might run him over, O’Connell stopped. Police say the man then jumped into the bed of the truck.
O’Connell told officers he opened the rear sliding window and repeatedly told the man to get out. The man refused. O’Connell then drove away with the man still in the truck bed, eventually crossing into Deerfield Beach while calling 911.
According to the affidavit, O’Connell stopped multiple times and gave the man opportunities to exit the vehicle, but he remained inside. O’Connell told police the only phrase he clearly remembered hearing was, “you’re going to jail.”
Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies later stopped the truck at 1 West Hillsboro Boulevard in Deerfield Beach. Deputies told Boca Raton police the man was still inside the bed of the truck when they arrived.
After the stop, officers observed scratches on the hood of O’Connell’s truck near the area where the man had been standing. O’Connell told police those scratches were not present before the incident. Officers also noted a handprint near the scratched area on the hood.
Deputies reported finding a meat cleaver inside the pocket of the suspect’s hoodie during a search. Police later identified the suspect as Robert John Gormley, 29. Booking and court records list addresses for Gormley in both Boynton Beach and Delray Beach.
Gormley told police he approached O’Connell’s vehicle because he believed the driver had stolen phones from an Airbnb. Police said Gormley could not explain how he knew O’Connell or identify the Airbnb he referenced.
Gormley admitted to touching the hood of the truck but denied banging on it. He alleged O’Connell attempted to run him over and would not allow him to leave. Gormley told police he grabbed onto the rear of the truck and was dragged across Dixie Highway, believing it was safer to jump into the truck bed than let go.
Gormley also told officers he did not exit the vehicle because he feared O’Connell would drive away. When asked about the knife found in his hoodie pocket, Gormley said the hoodie did not belong to him. Police noted in the affidavit that a crack pipe was also found inside the hoodie pocket during the search.
Based on the investigation, officers said they found probable cause to arrest Gormley on charges of trespassing in an occupied conveyance and criminal mischief involving damage under $200.
Jail records show Gormley was arrested by Boca Raton police and booked into the Palm Beach County Jail at 10:56 p.m. Court records show bond was set at $1,000 on the trespassing charge and $250 on the criminal mischief charge.
During a first appearance hearing, Gormley entered a not guilty plea. A public defender was appointed, and the case was continued to Jan. 5, 2026, for a case disposition hearing. Court records also reflect a no-contact order with the victim and a condition barring weapons or firearms.
Boca Post maintains a rolling overview of local arrests and law enforcement activity on our police activity page.
