Detectives investigating a burglary at Ed Manditch's home west of Boca Raton promised the retired firefighter they would get his 1971 fireman's badge back. On Thursday, they did.
"You guys are unbelievable," said Manditch, 62, as he walked into the sheriff's substation with tears in his eyes. "God bless you."
The badge Manditch has carried around with him for more than 30 years was just one of dozens of items detectives found Thursday morning when they returned to a home in the Loggers' Run development west of Boca Raton where they had already arrested one burglary suspect two weeks before.
On Thursday, detectives arrested resident Gayle Riccardi, 51, and her two sons after finding drug paraphernalia, plus a stash of stolen goods that included women's shoes, computers, a small television, a large mirror and clothes.
Riccardi and her 24-year-old son, Christopher, were charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and given notices to appear in court. A second son, a juvenile, also was charged.
One pile of stolen items and a marijuana pipe had notes on them that said, "Give to police," Detective Ron Tomassi said. Gayle Riccardi told Tomassi that she had been trying to reach him to tell him about the property.
Tomassi said he never received any phone messages from Gayle Riccardi.
Detectives serving the search warrant had to pry open the front door at the Woodborn Drive home when Riccardi refused to open it, said Tomassi.
Riccardi stood outside as more than 14 detectives and deputies searched the home. Detectives immediately found marijuana paraphernalia and called a police dog to the home. The dog alerted deputies to a safe in Riccardi's bedroom, where $1,000 in cash was found, Tomassi said.
Detectives "yelled and whooped" when they found Manditch's badge and immediately called Manditch, Tomassi said.
"We are really happy for Ed," he said. "It kind of irritated all of us. A fireman risks his life every day to protect people. Here's a retired gentleman, a military veteran and she takes all the memorabilia from him."
Detectives had promised to get back his shield, Manditch said.
"They kept their word," he said. "This badge means a hell of a lot."
Two weeks ago, detectives searched the home and arrested a woman living with the Riccardis, Tamara Terrel, 29.
Terrel was charged with residential burglary, grand theft and possession of burglary tools after detectives found other stolen property at the home. She remains in the Palm Beach County Jail.
Manditch said he is one of several burglary victims living in Timberwalk, "right around the corner from the young lady who is responsible for me having tears in my eyes." Manditch got most of his property back, but his wife is still missing several pieces of jewelry.
Also stolen from Manditch Jan. 17 were items of clothing belonging to his 6-year-old grandson.
"They stole some ridiculous things along with stuff that had super-sentimental value," he said.
The investigation into the burglaries is ongoing, police said.
