A Sarasota man, aged 52, has been detained after allegedly driving a stolen vehicle to Mar-a-Lago with the intention of conversing with President-elect Donald Trump, according to law enforcement officials.
As reported by the Palm Beach Police Department, the incident occurred on South Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach, a location within a security zone overseen by the U.S. Secret Service to safeguard Trump during his Florida visits. The authorities were alerted to a suspicious individual at approximately 9:15 p.m. on Thursday.
A Secret Service agent reported that the man, identified as Farbod Dolat, arrived at the area's parking lot and requested to speak with Trump. For security reasons, Dolat was subsequently removed from the vehicle and questioned by the agents.
Upon checking Dolat's driver's license, the police discovered that it had been indefinitely suspended. The vehicle Dolat was driving, a Gray Hyundai Kona, was also investigated. Contrary to initial assumptions, the car was found to be registered to EAN Holdings LLC, a car rental firm, rather than Dolat himself.
The Palm Beach Police Department contacted the rental company, which revealed that the car was rented by a 44-year-old woman named Judith Green. When reached, Green confirmed her acquaintance with Dolat.
Green recounted that she and Dolat had met earlier that day with the intention of purchasing a car. She had left Dolat in the passenger seat of the rental car while she withdrew money from a bank, only to find the car missing upon her return. Although Green expected Dolat to return the vehicle, he failed to do so. Green was advised to report the theft to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.
Dolat was subsequently arrested on charges of grand theft auto and driving without a valid license. The Palm Beach Daily News reported that a judge has ordered Dolat to avoid any contact with Trump, Mar-a-Lago, its surrounding protected area, or any other properties owned by the President-Elect. Dolat is also prohibited from possessing any weapons.
The incident marks the third arrest at Mar-a-Lago since the summer, with individuals attempting to trespass in an effort to see Trump.
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