A 42-year-old man who told deputies he was upset about ATVs on his property is facing felony charges after he threatened a 15-year-old boy on a dirt bike with a metal pipe in Golden Gate on Wednesday, sheriff’s reports said.Stephen J. Purciello, 1083 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and grand theft.
Travis Gossard told deputies that he was riding his dirt bike along ATV trails between 15th Street Southwest and 13th Street Southwest when he was stopped by Purciello, according to arrest reports.
Gossard told deputies that Purciello stuck a large black metal pipe into the front tire of his bike and said, “If you speak, I will kill you. You have five minutes to go get your dad and you’re going to leave your helmet and bike here. If you are not back in five minutes, I will destroy the bike,” according to reports.
The teen left his bike and ran to a stranger’s house, where he called his father, reports said.
Purciello told deputies he owns property at 481 13th St. S.W. that he is trying to sell. He said he was upset because ATV riders have damaged the property. He also said his air-conditioning and water systems had been stolen from the property, reports said.
Purciello filed a report about the damage and theft with deputies earlier in the day, reports said.
He denied threatening Gossard, reports said.
