Man caught ‘doing doughnuts’ on Trump’s golf course

Richard McEwan charged with criminal mischief over damage to greens in Bedminster, New Jersey

A driver caused nearly $20,000 (£16,000) of damage to Donald Trump’s golf course by “doing doughnuts” on the greens in his Ford Focus, say police.

Richard McEwan, 26, allegedly targeted the president’s club in Bedminster, New Jersey, four days after he was caught breaking into singer Taylor Swift’s home in Rhode Island.

At 5.30pm on 3 September an employee was standing on the fairway of the 11th hole when he heard loud music playing.

He turned round to see a car spinning in circles on the green and called police, who found a black piece of plastic branded with the Ford name.

Five days later police were called back to the course after a blue Ford was spotted doing doughnuts on the the green of the 13th hole.

Using a witness description and a partial license plate, officers identified the vehicle as the 2006 Ford Focus belonging to Mr McEwan, from Milford, New Jersey.

Mr McEwan was arrested at his home in Milford, New Jersey, on 10 September and charged with third degree criminal mischief before being released.

He had previously been charged with breaking and entering and wilful trespassing after being caught inside a mansion owned by Ms Swift on 30 August.

The intruder reportedly jumped a fence, broke a glass door and then took his shoes off before wandering around the property “to find Taylor”.

Asked why he was not wearing shoes, Mr McEwan replied: “I was raised to take my shoes off when you go into somebody’s house.”

He also told the police he had left his job working with computers three months earlier because he suspected he was being watched by the government.

“I feel really bad for the kid,” said Westerly Police chief Shawn Lacey. “I hope the guy gets the help he needs.”

Mr McEwan was released on a $5,000 bond and is due in court in Rhode Island on 29 November.

Mr Trump’s gold course in Bedminster is one of the president’s private residences along with Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and Trump Tower in New York, and has been referred to as the “Summer White House”.

Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office said between £7,000 and $9,000 of damage was caused to the grounds during the first incident and more than £10,000 during the second.

“He will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” the Trump Organisation said in a statement.