Hawaii man charged with criminal mischief at Trump National in Bedminster

BEDMINSTER - A Hawaii resident was arrested and charged with criminal mischief in relation to damage property at Trump National Golf Club.

Somerset County prosecutors announced the arrest of Clifford Tillotson, age 61, of Kaneohe, Hawaii.

Somerset County Prosecutor Michael Robertson said that on Sept. 12, around 8:35 a.m., Bedminster Township Police received a call from the director of security at Trump National Golf Club, reporting that sometime during the evening hours of Sept. 11 and early morning hours the next day, nine golf course greens had been damaged by an unknown substance.

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The damage consisted of words written on the putting greens and were defaced by the unknown substance. The estimated damage sustained to the golf course was in the excess of $10,000. Trump National Golf Club is President Donald Trump's private golf club, which he frequently stays. 

Bedminster police, along with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, conducted an investigation. A sample from the damaged greens has been sent to a forensic lab for further analysis.

The investigation revealed that Clifford Tillotson allegedly defaced golf courses located in New York. Somerset County authorities, working in conjunction with New York authorities, were able to identify Tillotson as the individual allegedly responsible for the damages at Trump National Golf Course in Bedminster.

On Sept. 27, a criminal complaint was generated and Tillotson was charged with third-degree criminal mischief. Tillotson awaits extradition to New Jersey due to the pending charges he faces in Westchester County for damages he caused at golf courses located in New York.

Staff Writer Nick Muscavage: 908-243-6615; ngmuscavage@gannettnj.com