Man angry over stimulus check hurls smoke bomb outside Mar-a-Lago: Police
PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Police say a man admitted to throwing a smoke bomb outside Mar-a-Lago because he became angry that he had not yet received a stimulus check.
Mar-a-Lago is also the home of former President Donald Trump.
The suspect, 38-year-old Paul Brantly Rawls, faces multiple charges including one count of making, possessing throwing or discharging any destructive device, one count of criminal mischief, and one count of disorderly conduct.
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The incident happened on Sunday afternoon. The U.S. Secret Service and Palm Beach Police responded to a a report of a smoking and smoldering device in the middle of South Ocean Boulevard. Investigators said two cars crashed while trying to avoid to avoid the device. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office dispatched the bomb squad to look for more devices.
The device turned out to be a 7.5 inch fused incendiary device, named "5 Minute White Smoke" made by Pyro U, police said.
According to the arrest report, surveillance video showed someone in a gray Volkswagen toss the device out the car window. Police traced the license plate on the car to Rawls. Police made contact with Rawls by phone who said, "I know the real reason you want to talk to me."
At the police department, Rawls told detectives, "I know why I'm here, it's because I threw a smoke bomb, it's all on video." According to the arrest report Rawls also told investigators he's a former combat veteran and Airborne Ranger, and has struggled since being discharged. And he spoke of his disdain for the former administration since his stimulus money had yet to arrive.
Authorities searched his car and found nine smoke bombs, four flares, four 5 minute white smoke devices, a 12-foot handheld expandable hook, nylon rope and a black glove.
According to the arrest report, Rawls, of West Palm Beach, drove back and forth from Palm Beach on eight occasions since March 1. He's being held at the Palm Beach County Jail on a $21,000 bond.
No one was hurt in the crash.
CBS12 News reporter Jay O'Brien learned the incident happened while Trump was at Mar-a-Lago. A source told CBS12 News the smoke bomb could not be seen or heard inside the club, and the former president had not heard of the event prior to our call.
