Man crashes into Beyonce and Jay-Z's East Hampton gate
A 63-year-old Bronx man drove his Subaru through the front security gate of Beyonce and Jay-Z's East Hampton mansion on Wednesday afternoon, causing significant damage, police say. Detectives say he appeared confused, made no threats, and may not have known who lived there. He was arrested on criminal mischief and trespass charges after the Georgica crash.
Key Takeaways
- Keith Webster, 63, of the Bronx, drove a Subaru into the closed mechanical gate at Beyonce and Jay-Z's East Hampton Village estate on Wednesday afternoon.
- Police say he seemed confused, made no threats, and had no weapons or notes; he has no criminal history.
- He was charged with criminal mischief in the second degree and criminal trespass in the third; his vehicle was impounded.
- The couple bought the seven-bedroom Georgica mansion in 2017 for $26 million.
- Investigators say it is unclear whether he targeted the house or knew who lived there.
What happened at Beyonce's East Hampton mansion?
According to The East Hampton Star, a security guard watched the Subaru race up the driveway and fail to stop at the closed gates, which were severely damaged. After the impact, Webster stayed in the car until a private security team ordered him out. He complied, and village police later found him restrained in front of the vehicle.
Webster complained of pain and was taken to Stony Brook East Hampton Emergency Department for treatment. He was later released, arraigned, and his car was impounded. East Hampton Village police completed affidavits for criminal mischief and criminal trespass. An investigation remains ongoing.
Why do police think the crash may not have been a targeted attack?
Detective Sgt. Jennifer Dunn told outlets the man "wasn't making threats" and "seemed confused" at the scene and after his arrest. Officers found no weapons, no notes, and no direct mention of the residents. Dunn told Page Six it "could just be chance he picked that house if he was having a medical issue."
Before the gate crash, Webster stopped at another home nearby and asked for a woman by name. When told she did not live there, he left without incident, though the homeowner called police and said he seemed confused. A family member later told police they had no idea why he would be in East Hampton.
Using Flock license plate readers, police traced his Wednesday path from the village to Montauk, to Main Beach, and finally into the Georgica Pond area. "This could be a health issue," Dunn said, "but we have to treat it as a crime until proven otherwise." It is not clear whether Beyonce and Jay-Z were home.
What is known about the couple's luxury Hamptons estate?
Beyonce and Jay-Z purchased the seven-bed, seven-and-a-half-bath mansion in East Hampton's Georgica neighborhood in 2017 for $26 million. The gated driveway is part of the property's private security setup, which village police say they routinely stay in touch with across the municipality.
For more celebrity homes and high-end property news, explore BlasterPost's Luxury Real Estate & Dream Homes coverage. Reps for the couple did not immediately return comment requests reported by Page Six.