Police: British navy officer broke into SUV at NAS Key West, took rubber duck

Thomas Clement (MCSO)

KEY WEST, Fla. – Broken windows and a stolen bath toy led a 28-year-old British serviceman to face two felony charges in Key West, according to police.

According to an arrest report from the Key West Police Department, a security officer working at the Trumbo Point naval base, part of Naval Air Station Key West, witnessed Royal Navy officer Thomas Davis Clement using his hands to shatter the back passenger window of a 2022 Ford Bronco at around 3:30 a.m. Monday.

Recommended Videos



The security officer told police that Clement, of Carmarthen, Wales, then approached the guard shack, saying he needed help with his car, police said. But the officer told police that he knew that the SUV belonged to a U.S. Navy officer who was on vacation at the time.

He also told police Clement “became enraged when he was told the vehicle did not belong to him” and argued with the officer before being detained, the report states.

Police said officers later arrived and took the apparently-intoxicated Clement into custody and, during a search, found a rubber duck on Clement. That rubber duck belonged to his American counterpart and had been swiped from the Bronco, the report states.

According to the report, Clement was “unable to recall the incident.”

According to Monroe County jail records, Clement was arrested on felony burglary and criminal mischief charges and was set to be arraigned July 21.

Local 10 News has contacted the Royal Navy seeking comment and information on Clement’s rank, position and status within the service, which weren’t specified in the arrest report.


About the Author

Chris Gothner joined the Local 10 News team in 2022 as a Digital Journalist.

Recommended Videos