Ralph Edward Rapa
By Kevin Deutsch
A Parkland man planning to open a local craft brewery with his wife was arrested Sunday on battery charges and tampering in a misdemeanor proceeding, court records show.
Ralph Edward Rapa, 55, of NW 61st Terrace, allegedly battered his wife — who deputies did not identify by name — during a domestic violence incident on June 20, the records show. According to an arrest affidavit filed by the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the battery followed a verbal dispute between the couple about the sexual orientation of someone close to them.
Rapa, who has been married to the victim for five years, “put his hands and arm around the neck of the victim, although she stated she could still breathe,” according to the report.
“The defendant and victim then struggled over the victim’s cellphone once she stated she was attempting to call 911 on the front lawn,” the report states. “The defendant then grabbed the cellphone out of the victim’s hand and threw it into the bush, not allowing her to make contact with 911,” leading to the tampering charge against Rapa.
Another struggle ensued, and Rapa again put his hands and arm around the victim’s neck before pushing her onto the front lawn, the report states.
“During the struggle, the victim sustained a red mark and cut on her chin, a small abrasion on her right forearm, and a small abrasion on her right knee,” the report states.
Deputies said they photographed the victim’s injuries and uploaded them into evidence.
The victim provided deputies with a sworn, taped statement, according to BSO.
Rapa was arrested and taken to BSO Main Jail, where he bonded out Sunday, records show.
On June 23, three days after his arrest, Rapa filed a petition to dissolve his marriage, Broward court records show.
Rapa and his wife, Veronica, have business pending before the Parkland City Commission.
They have said they plan to open Rule G Brewing Company within walking distance of their home in Parkland Terraces in October. But they recently learned there is currently no way to apply for city permitting for their pub unless a change to city code is made.
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Author Profile
- Kevin Deutsch is an award-winning crime journalist and author. A graduate of Florida International University, Kevin has worked on staff at The Miami Herald, New York Daily News, and The Palm Beach Post.
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