Lakeland man charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after parking lot incident turns heated

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Lakeland man, Rodney Ramer, on July 4 and charged him with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Ramer, DOB: 3/21/58, was involved in an incident in the parking lot of Miller’s Ale House. The incident occurred on July 3, 2024.

The following is a long excerpt from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office affidavit (Please note that this is an unedited report from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. These facts can be disputed and anyone has the right to challenge the validity of law enforcement facts in court. The Daily Ridge does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations may be incorrect and change the context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to their own understanding and conclusions.) :

“On July 3, 2024 at approximately 2:00 p.m., I reported to Miller’s Ale House Restaurant at 5650 South Florida Avenue in Lakeland for a dispute involving a weapon. Upon arrival, I made contact with CENSORED, CENSORED And CENSOREDwho were victims of this incident. During this investigation, I learned that CENSORED, CENSORED And CENSORED had just left the restaurant and were chatting in the parking lot next to their vehicles.CENSORED had taken a seat on the passenger side CENSORED ‘s truck while they talked.

The suspect, Rodney Ramer, left the parking lot with his vehicle. As the suspect drove straight between the two, CENSORED And CENSORED its large extended side mirrors brushed up to CENSORED. CENSOREDexplained that this was not intentional, but merely an oversight on the part of the suspect. CENSORED pushed the mirror closed (they fold in) to avoid damaging the mirror. When the suspect heard the mirror fold shut, he began a verbal argument with the victims as he drove by. The suspect stopped his truck and backed up slightly to better position his vehicle when he pulled out a firearm, pointed it directly at the victims and threatened to kill them CENSORED, CENSORED And CENSOREDThe suspect tried to drive away, but stopped again and threatened the victims while holding a gun.

The suspect, Rodney, was identified by his vehicle license plate number and a credit/debit transaction receipt given to him by Miller’s Ale House staff.

Contact was made with staff at Sushi Masa and surveillance was conducted which recorded the incident in which Rodney was observed brandishing a firearm and pointing it at the victims.

A CIC check was conducted on Rodney Ramer and revealed that there were no prior assault charges against him.

There is sufficient suspicion that Rodney Ramer committed the crime of grievous bodily harm. Rodney Ramer actually and intentionally attacked CENSORED, CENSORED And CENSORED with a deadly weapon. The suspect brandished a firearm and threatened the victims’ lives, causing them to fear. The suspect did not act with the intent to kill, but with the intent to commit a crime, namely CENSORED, CENSORED And CENSORED.

On July 4, 2024 at around 9:51 a.m. I reported to the apartment in CENSORED Lakeland FL, 33813 and contact was made with Rodney Ramer. Before being given Miranda, Rodney spontaneously stated that he knew why the police were there, saying, “They started it” and “People were just acting stupid.” Rodney was then arrested, read his Miranda rights, and advised that he did not want to speak to the police without his legal counsel present. Rodney was transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center (SPC) without incident.”