BOCA RATON, Fla. – A celebrity chef, who has appeared on television cooking shows nationwide, has been arrested after a wild road rage incident.
Boca Raton Police say Ralph Pagano, 55, attacked another driver with a baseball bat.
According to the arrest affidavit, officers responded after a 911 call in March.
A man says he was driving his son to school on Jog Road, when he was cut off by a black Tesla.
The driver said he slammed on the brakes and honked his horn at the Tesla.
The victim says the driver of the Tesla then stopped in traffic and began yelling at him.
He says he then “flipped off” the driver of the Tesla.
Moments later, the victim said the driver of the Tesla stuck a baseball bat through his open passenger window, and shouted “I’ll kill you!”
The victim said the bat nearly hit him in the head, and hit his juvenile child in the head.
The driver of the Tesla then took off.
The child was not hurt.
A witness told officers that he saw the Tesla cut off the victim’s car, and that the “driver of the Tesla emerged from his vehicle wielding a baseball bat. The driver of the Tesla then shoved the baseball bat through the open front passenger window of the vehicle.”
The witness went on to say that he “fully believed that the Tesla driver was actually attempting to hurt the victim.”
The victim was able to jot down the license plate number of the Tesla, and officers say it was registered to Pagano.
Police say the victim then positively identified Pagano from a photo line-up.
During questioning by detectives, Pagano “denied ever having a baseball bat or using it to threaten or hurt anyone.”
Detectives said that, based on all of the evidence, they had probable cause to issue an arrest warrant for Pagano.
He was arrested on Monday and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated child abuse.
Pagano bonded out of the Palm Beach County jail about 18 hours later.
Pagano released a statement about the incident on Friday:
“I am mostly known as a chef and Restauranteur but my most important role is a husband and a dad to two young children growing, living, and learning in Boca Raton. This week I was arrested on a single charge that we will defend against and hope that during due process and the complete story being revealed and following the law, we will prevail. Our family’s every morning routine was interrupted by an aggressive and erratic driver on the very street we reside, while taking our two children to school.
There was an alleged charge of abuse made against me, that was reported by a news outlet that the state attorney did not ever charge me with. This reporting is not only erroneous, but irresponsible and was meant to be served up as click bait. I am the same person that has been a part of this community for over 20 years. I do not run from the law. I support the police. I support the government. I am a contributing member of society that loves my family, my friends and where I live. My reputation has never been in question and my dedication to being a part of the South Florida community is unwavering and well documented. I am confident that this will pass, and I will be able to continue with my life raising my family in Boca Raton, working, and continuing with my ongoing contributions across so many Florida charities, helping families, children and adults in need.
Thank you for your continued support and please send my family positive energy during this very challenging time for us.”
Ralph Pagano
Pagano runs the popular Naked Taco restaurant franchise. There are four restaurants in South Florida.
Local 10 News documented his recovery after he was badly burned in a kitchen explosion at his restaurant in the Bahamas in 2017.