Carlos Ruben Keukelaar Jr. is a California man in his forties with a criminal record that spans more than a decade, including California convictions for driving under the influence, bribery of an executive officer, and felony assault, and a May 2026 arrest in Missoula, Montana on charges including felony assault on a peace officer. His cases have moved through courts in Los Angeles County, Butte County, and now Missoula County.
The May 2026 Missoula Arrest
On May 3, 2026, Missoula Police officers were called to the Double Front restaurant at 122 West Alder Street after staff reported that Keukelaar, then 40, was refusing to leave. Officers told him he was being trespassed and ordered him out. He argued and refused.1NewsTalk KGVO. Resists, Kicks Officer in Face
When officers tried to escort him out, according to police, Keukelaar tensed up and tried to push back into the bar. During the struggle he shoved officers, grabbed at one officer’s vest and equipment while on the floor, and struck an officer in the face with his leg. Officers deployed a Taser and placed him in a WRAP restraint device. One officer was left with a bleeding, bruised knuckle, a swollen lower lip, and injuries to his right elbow and left shin.1NewsTalk KGVO. Resists, Kicks Officer in Face
Keukelaar was charged with felony assault on a peace officer, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. Bond was set at $15,000. A Missoula County docket shows the case (No. DC-32-2026-0000263-IN) was set for arraignment before Judge Jason Marks on May 18, 2026.1NewsTalk KGVO. Resists, Kicks Officer in Face2Missoula County. Arraignment Court Schedule
California Convictions: DUI, Bribery, and Assault
Keukelaar was convicted in Los Angeles County Superior Court (case No. NA112249-01) on two counts: driving under the influence and bribery of an executive officer under California Penal Code section 67. In June 2023, the court sentenced him to an aggregate term of four years in state prison. The appellate record does not detail the circumstances of the bribery offense.3Casemine. People v. Keukelaar, No. C100288
While that case was still being processed, he picked up new charges in Butte County (case No. 22CF05616), originally filed as assault with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor battery. He pleaded no contest to an amended felony count of assault by means likely to result in great bodily injury under California Penal Code section 245(a)(4). Under the negotiated plea, he agreed to the upper term and a consecutive sentence.3Casemine. People v. Keukelaar, No. C100288
On November 15, 2023, the Butte County Superior Court resentenced him in the Los Angeles case (keeping the four-year term) and added a consecutive one-year term for the Butte County assault, bringing the total to five years. He was awarded 512 days of custody credit for the Los Angeles case and one day for the Butte County case.3Casemine. People v. Keukelaar, No. C100288
The 2012 Petco Impersonation Incident
The California record starts earlier. In October 2012, when Keukelaar was 27 and living in Gridley, he walked into a Petco in Chico wearing a tactical vest and allegedly told employees he was a Chico police officer while trying to return dog food. Frightened workers called 911.4Santa Cruz Sentinel. Gridley Man Allegedly Impersonates Officer, Scaring Petco Workers Chico police stopped him in a white Lexus in the business parking lot. No firearm was found on him or in the vehicle. He was charged with impersonating a police officer and driving under the influence, taken to a hospital for a blood draw, and booked into jail.5Times-Herald Online. Gridley Man Allegedly Impersonates Officer, Scaring Petco Workers
Appeals and Other Court Matters
Keukelaar appealed his sentence to the California Court of Appeal, Third District, arguing that the December 2023 abstract of judgment and a June 2024 amended version both left out his 512 days of Los Angeles custody credit. The People conceded the error. On December 18, 2024, the appellate court affirmed the underlying judgment and directed the trial court to correct the abstract of judgment to reflect the credits.3Casemine. People v. Keukelaar, No. C100288
He also filed a petition for review with the California Supreme Court in a separate matter (case No. S288843, tied to Second Appellate District case B332174). The court denied the petition on February 19, 2025. The available records do not detail the underlying issues beyond the connection to the Los Angeles County case.6Supreme Court of California. Minutes, February 19, 2025
On the civil side, Francesca Natasha Di Lorenzo filed a petition for a domestic violence restraining order involving minor children against Keukelaar in Butte County Superior Court in July 2017. A temporary order was granted on July 25, 2017. A court trial took place on September 21, 2017, with findings filed the next day. Di Lorenzo later moved for reconsideration, which was taken off calendar after a November 2017 hearing. As of the last docket update in September 2022, the case was still listed as pending.7UniCourt. Di Lorenzo, Francesca Natasha vs. Keukelaar, Carlos Ruben A separate small claims action filed against him by Norm Reeves Ford Superstore in Los Angeles County in March 2019 was dismissed without prejudice at the plaintiff’s request on August 12, 2019.8Trellis Law. Norm Reeves Ford Superstore vs. Carlos Ruben Keukelaar