VERO BEACH — A 41-year-old man suspected of stealing several items after breaking into a closed gas station told police President Donald Trump let him in, authorities said. The man also said he owned the gas station and that his Lamborghini was on its way to pick him up.
William Thomas Keating, of the 300 block of South Waverly Place, was charged with burglary and possession of alcohol in public. He is being held at the Indian River County Jail on $20,500 bond.
William Thomas Keating
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Police went to a call of a suspicious person about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Chevron gas station in the 3300 block of Aviation Boulevard. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the caller, who said a man was going in and out of the store several times, screaming at himself and banging his fist on the counter.
The caller was not sure if the man, later identified as Keating, worked at the gas station because it was closed, an arrest report states.
Officers went to the gas station front window and saw Keating walking toward the front exit with his hands full of merchandise. When police stopped Keating and spoke to him, Keating said he owned the gas station and that his Lamborghini was on its way to pick him up, authorities said.
Keating then told officers that he knew he wasn’t supposed to be at the store, but then said “Donald Trump opened the door and let him in.” Police found 10 to 15 unidentified white pills in Keating’s coat pocket, which were sent to the lab for verification.
While police spoke with Keating, they saw the following items worth about $100 total in his possession including Cigarillos, sodas, and cigarettes, along with other items.
Police contacted the gas station owner, who arrived on scene shortly after. The owner said he had never seen Keating before and that Keating did not have permission to be inside the store when it was closed, according to the report.
The owner told police the clerk may have forgotten to lock the doors upon closing the store. There were no signs of tampering at all the entrances. The owner was able to recover $75 of the unused merchandise.
Keating was arrested and taken to the county jail for booking. He has an arraignment at 8:30 a.m. March 14 in court, court records show.
