Suspect charged with vandalizing Donald Trump's New Jersey golf club, invading Taylor Swift's Rhode Island home
Golf and Politics

Suspect charged with vandalizing Donald Trump’s New Jersey golf club, invading Taylor Swift’s Rhode Island home

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A 26-year-old man has been arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including several instances of vandalizing President Donald Trump's Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, NJ, as well invading Taylor Swift's Rhode Island mansion.

According to the Associated Press, Richard McEwan of Milford was charged by the Somerset County (NJ) prosecutor with criminal mischief after doing donuts with a vehicle at Trump's club on two separate dates. On Sept. 3, McEwan is alleged to have spun his vehicle on the 11th hole of one of the club's two courses.

“Bedminster Township Police Department received a call reporting property damage to Trump National Golf Course, Bedminster, New Jersey,” according to a press release. “Upon arrival, Bedminster Police officers were advised that around 5:30 p.m., an employee of the golf course reported seeing a vehicle doing ‘donuts’ on the 11th hole of the golf course."

“The employee stated he was standing on the fairway when he heard loud music playing, turned and observed a Ford sedan occupied by one person doing ’donuts” on top of the 11th hole. A search of the area yielded a black piece of plastic labeled Ford that was left behind at the scene.”

McEwan then allegedly repeated the incident on the 13th green on Sept. 8.

“Upon arrival of officers, a witness advised police that a blue Ford compact car with a Rutgers sticker on it was seen being driven by a younger white male. A partial license plate of the vehicle was obtained.”

It's estimated McEwan did $17,000-$19,000 damage to the greens.

Police were led to McEwan based on a partial license plate number gleaned from available evidence and witnesses.

On Aug. 30, McEwan was arrested in Rhode Island when he invaded Taylor Swift's beachfront mansion. Swift was not in the home at the time. McEwan was found shoeless in the home, saying he was taught to take off his shoes in someone's home as a sign of manners.

Trump National Bedminster hosted the 2017 US Women's Open and is slated to host the PGA of America's PGA Championship in 2022.

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Ryan Ballengee

Ryan Ballengee is founder and editor of Golf News Net. He has been writing and broadcasting about golf for nearly 20 years. Ballengee lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his family. He is currently a +2.6 USGA handicap, and he has covered dozens of major championships and professional golf tournaments. He likes writing about golf and making it more accessible by answering the complex questions fans have about the pro game or who want to understand how to play golf better.

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