Student in carjacking spree: 'I was drugged'

A college student accused of going on a bizarre crime spree claims his workout supplement was spiked.

A college student accused of an erratic crime spree in North Dallas this week apologized to the victims in a jailhouse interview Thursday.

Investigators say Eric Keng carjacked someone, tried to rob a business and led police on a chase in a stolen vehicle on Tuesday.

"I apologize for anything that I did to anyone. It wasn't intentional. I don't know what happened," Keng told NBCDFW.com in an exclusive interview.

For more, visit NBCDFW.com

Police said Keng went on a wild rampage near the 18000 block of Marsh Lane, where officers said he smashed a driver's windshield with a golf club, tried to carjack two people, successfully carjacked a third and tried to rob a business.


 Investigators said Keng then led police on a car chase in a stolen vehicle. Officers used spike sticks to get Keng to pull over. Police said he was so erratic, officers had to wrestle him to the ground using pepper spray.

Keng said he took an energy supplement earlier in the day.

"I was cleaning my mom's house to make sure she was happy when she got home, and then I took some pre-workout stuff called C4, and then I went completely nuts," he said.

Keng said he often takes the energy supplement and thinks someone, possibly a friend, slipped something in it that caused him to act out.

"I think I was drugged," he said.

"I sincerely believe someone put something in that C4, because I've taken it many times before, and the one time I took it this time, I wake up in jail and hear about this (expletive), and that's not me," he said.

Keng started crying several times during the interview.

He also apologized to his family.

"I just don't want my mom to be mad," he said, with tears running down his face. "It's not me, but clearly it is. I'm sorry."

Keng said he was enrolled to continue classes at Brookhaven Community College in the fall. He said was hoping to join the military or the Air Force but doesn't see any of that happening now.

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Moral of the story - Drugs are Bad, M'kay?

  • 11 votes
#1 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 9:26 AM EDT

To me his story is somewhat buyable. But I hope he has character witnesses that can testify that the behavior he displayed on this criminal rampage is completely not like him. He really could have been drugged. If so, I feel sorry for him.

  • 34 votes
#1.1 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 9:55 AM EDT

Run the toxicology, and then see if he passes a lie detector. If so, then he may be right.

  • 24 votes
#1.2 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:12 AM EDT

Waiting to see the corrupted media try to spin this off on Marijuana or Bath Salts. This guy knew what he was doing, hes just trying to get out of trouble. (For the record, I work law enforcement and know the effects of Marijuana and Bath Salts. Marijuana has no side effects, and Bath Salts simply make someone extremely paranoid, not go crazy like this and go on a crime spree, or eat someones face).

  • 5 votes
#1.3 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:14 AM EDT

It WON'T be pot, but bath salts ARE a possibility. Nobody knows what they put in that crap.

It's possible he knew what he was doing, but he's making all the right noises and at least APOLOGIZING. It's nice when someone can at least man up and say they're sorry.

Doesn't happen often enough in today's world.

  • 23 votes
#1.4 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:18 AM EDT

Funny, I also felt like his story was plausible too. Any kid, who is even considering the Air Force Academy is usually one straight arrow, and a great student. This behavior would be greatly out of character such a student, lending credence to his story.

  • 16 votes
#1.5 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:28 AM EDT

Ssimmons117,

For working in law enforcement you are terrible at reading articles and understanding the facts. What does pot and bath salts have to do with a power supplement that has a side effect of anxiety increases?

After reading several pages of reviews for users of C4 Extreme, I am willing to give this kid a chance to explain his actions given that he fully cooperates with law enforcement.

  • 12 votes
#1.6 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:39 AM EDT

I'm sold. Sounds like something bad happened to a good kid. I wonder what he could have been drugged with that made him so erratic like that! I hope they give an update to this story if/when they test him for drugs.

And by the looks of his face, he clearly isn't very good a fighting and being a criminal.

  • 12 votes
#1.7 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:42 AM EDT

What a blessing that none of his victims were hurt or killed. Regardless of the circumstances he is responsible for the damage he did. As for his reasoning....that is a matter for law enforcement...If his story holds up they certainly can find evidence. If he willingly and knowingly ingested a substance that created the situation then he should go to prison. Again it is up to law enforcement to do their job and for the court system to do their job but the victims need to be made whole. So glad these men can go home to their families.

  • 3 votes
#1.8 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:05 AM EDT

Ssimmons117

I live in a place where bath salts are kind of prevalent and people have done very strange, violent things on it. And I agree with Kevin:

Kevin C-752389

Funny, I also felt like his story was plausible too. Any kid, who is even considering the Air Force Academy is usually one straight arrow, and a great student. This behavior would be greatly out of character such a student, lending credence to his story.

  • 5 votes
#1.9 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:27 AM EDT

Ssimmons117

Your mentality as a police enforcement officer is pretty saddening. You may have seen several cases of drug usage, but there are individuals whom if they take certain drugs, it can lead to different scenarios than what you have witnessed. An example: Normal person takes bath salts and trips out a bit. Someone with a Personality Disorder takes bath salts, it enhances the personality disorder and throws the brain awry.

To me, it sounds like you haven't been on the job very long, and secondly, it sounds like the instances of which you are attempting to relate do not compare or correlate well. By the way:

This guy knew what he was doing, hes just trying to get out of trouble.

This is why most people can't stand LEO's. Even trying to talk about a situation to one is difficult because of individuals like you tend to already assume a scenario before taking into consideration the full picture. I'm betting this guy didn't know what he was doing judging by the rest of the article and his sincerity.

  • 6 votes
#1.10 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 12:03 PM EDT

txmom32 = hard-ass. Gimme some of that Texass law'n'order. Don't you have something else to do? You probably go to church, too, don't you?

  • 2 votes
#1.11 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 12:10 PM EDT

Yea, someone put something in his energy pills. Right.... He took bath salts or something and doesn't want to admit it. Man up, boy!

  • 1 vote
#1.12 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 12:19 PM EDT

He sounds like a reasonable person so I'd venture to say it may have been hard drugs like the crazy salts.... but maybe he took them intentionally and is making up a side story. ...and that mug shot is RUFF!!! lol

  • 1 vote
#1.13 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 12:37 PM EDT

so the moral of the story is - cry like a baby, say something about having wanted to go into the military, apologize and claim you have no clue what happened...

and everyone believes you

i'll have to remember that when I try to rob a bank...i'll make sure to take some C4 before hand, or maybe leave my Rockstar energy drink unattended in a public place for a few minutes so my story is "plausible"

im with someone else, toxicology and lie detector...and then i'll consider his story as plausible (that still wont be proof that SOMEONE ELSE spiked his punch)

    #1.14 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 1:55 PM EDT

    @Jessica-117052 you have no idea what you are talking about. I personally know Eric he was practically a little brother to me, I am terribly saddened by the recent events and can't possibly believe that it was him acting on his own. When I got the news from my wife it bright me to tears, I didn't want to believe what she was telling me. I have been in the Marine Corps for over six years and Eric was trying to get into the the military as well. When I left for the Marine Corps I lost contact with him but recently moved back to Texas and had gotten back in touch with him. I wont defend his actions but I do know his character and can say this is completely out of character. I love him just like a brother and will do anything in my power to help.

      #1.15 - Sat Jul 14, 2012 4:43 PM EDT

      @Jessica-117052 you have no idea what you are talking about. I personally know Eric he was practically a little brother to me, I am terribly saddened by the recent events and can't possibly believe that it was him acting on his own. When I got the news from my wife it bright me to tears, I didn't want to believe what she was telling me. I have been in the Marine Corps for over six years and Eric was trying to get into the the military as well. When I left for the Marine Corps I lost contact with him but recently moved back to Texas and had gotten back in touch with him. I wont defend his actions but I do know his character and can say this is completely out of character. I love him just like a brother and will do anything in my power to help.

        #1.16 - Sat Jul 14, 2012 4:43 PM EDT

        Wow Red Mike....

        txmom32 = hard-ass. Gimme some of that Texass law'n'order. Don't you have something else to do? You probably go to church, too, don't you?

        So Red Mike where are you from that would turn their back on a victim of a crime of vandalism or car jacking. These men were victims and suffered damage at the hands of this kid. Yes the kid should be held responsible for the damage. The people who suffered damage to their cars were just going about the bussiness of their day. You must feel that they are responsible in some way. Would you have prefered that they just give up the keys to their car to this kid? In the state he was in it could have resulted in a tragic event. I think it is a grand plan that the men did not allow the kid to take off in a car.

        I honestly believe that the police are fully capable of investigating the kids story.

          #1.17 - Sun Jul 15, 2012 11:21 AM EDT
          Reply

          this young man needs to change his group of friends, pronto...

          • 16 votes
          Reply#2 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 9:31 AM EDT

          He certainly needs to re-think his career choice. "Thug" is definitely not working for him, based on the photo. I'm guessing none of his victims look that rough.

          • 1 vote
          #2.1 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 9:34 AM EDT

          Best mugshot of the year.............

          • 8 votes
          #2.2 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:21 AM EDT

          @727 - No doubt! The kid looks like he took a real beating or else gravity had its way with him.... many times.

          • 1 vote
          #2.3 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 12:18 PM EDT
          Reply

          Can't they run a tox screen and see what was in his system? Isn't that routine when someone is "behaving erratically"?

          • 14 votes
          Reply#3 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 9:31 AM EDT

          Will a tox screen show elevated levels of stupid?

          • 5 votes
          #3.1 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 9:35 AM EDT
          Reply

          They slipped Powerthirst into his C4.

          GRATUITOUS AMOUNTS OF ENERGY!!

          • 4 votes
          Reply#4 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 9:38 AM EDT

          That C4 really packs a punch. Either that or that pepper spray is some hard hitting stuff.

            #4.1 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:44 AM EDT

            shocklaty goodness!!!!!!!

              #4.2 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 3:13 PM EDT
              Reply

              I like the first guy's imitation of him. Priceless

              • 1 vote
              Reply#5 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 9:40 AM EDT
              Comment author avatarMatt Bowievia Facebook

              moral of the story - legal drugs will make you lose your mind.

              never hear about a bunch of stoned kids busting out windows with golf clubs and carjacking people.

              • 7 votes
              Reply#6 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 9:41 AM EDT

              The stupid stoned kids that lived on the floow below me smashed out the windows of the house the night they moved out. So, now you have heard about it.

              • 3 votes
              #6.1 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 9:44 AM EDT
              Comment author avatarMatt Bowievia Facebook

              could it be they had been treated unfairly by administrators? i know i have jacked up some places after being harrassed by management.

              • 8 votes
              #6.2 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 9:49 AM EDT

              Classy Matt..really really adult and so very intelligent. Voted most likely to crash and burn very young.

              • 10 votes
              #6.3 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:00 AM EDT

              ap - did those kids also drink alcohol? cuz im not sure I would blame their actions on pot alone.

              I have NEVER met any pot smoker who's become violent, angry or anything of sort after smoking pot - once, or regularly...and I know quite a few smokers.

              now, alcohol on the other hand...i've witnessed more than I care to count the number of times someone has tranformed into the hulk under it's influence...watched them try to beat telephone poles (without success) and trash bars, get into fights at ball games, and otherwise just be destructive monsters because something set them off...

              of course, that last drug is legal...so we cant beat that one up too bad when people do nutty things under it's influence..oh heck no

              • 1 vote
              #6.4 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 2:00 PM EDT
              Reply

              I love how it says he was thinking of joining the military OR the Air Force....ha ha

              I guess the Air Force is not considered to be a part of the military.

              • 2 votes
              Reply#7 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 9:45 AM EDT

              The Air Force is part of the Military????

              I always thought they were the flight attendants to get us fighting men to the battle. LOL

              Go Army!

              • 1 vote
              #7.1 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:49 AM EDT
              Reply

              Why involve yourself with 'friends' who would do something like that? Maybe they could test the C4 container to see if there was something else in it. Possibly this kid should consider not using 'pre-workout' enhancers or other stuff and just work his body without relying on chemicals. Maybe he's lying. Who knows?

              • 2 votes
              Reply#8 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:10 AM EDT

              since when does a perps booking photo look like that? and how did it happen?

              • 1 vote
              Reply#9 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:12 AM EDT

              Weeelll, let's just see what happens when you try and carjack a few folks, and then lead cops on a wild chase.

              It looks painful, but it was a lesson he won't have to learn twice.

              • 2 votes
              #9.1 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:20 AM EDT

              Hey Fred, assuming he was drugged, what type of lesson is there to be learned? There is no excuse for police brutality.

              • 4 votes
              #9.2 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:22 AM EDT

              I don't know about the cops there, but here, they are nothing more than a band of badge wearing thugs waiting for an excuse to use their commando training and justify their steroid expenses.

              • 7 votes
              #9.3 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:27 AM EDT

              In the clip that accompanied the article I believe one of the victims took credit for the facial alterations. Something about retribution for the damage he caused him. I seriously hope the victim is not charged for his actions. Sort of a stand your ground defense while this guy was committing felonies.

                #9.4 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:09 AM EDT

                More Texass bull@!$%# from txmom32. Why DON'T you people secede from the Union?

                • 1 vote
                #9.5 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 12:17 PM EDT
                Reply

                That was some badass pepper spray to do that to his face.

                • 3 votes
                Reply#10 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:13 AM EDT

                I know people who have done worse... and still got accepted into the military, so he doesn't have to lose hope there. I hope he can turn his life around... and that he gets his face taken care of. Ouch!

                • 3 votes
                Reply#11 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:22 AM EDT

                Normal brain, "Stealing cars is stupid". Brain on drugs, "Stealing cars is stupid". Stupid brain, "Do anything you want". Problem is the only cure for real stupid is death.

                • 3 votes
                Reply#12 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:23 AM EDT

                Scooter & Fric: Did you listen to the accompanying video? One of the victims of an attempted carjacking punched him in the face repeatedly in an attempt to get him to stop.

                • 3 votes
                Reply#13 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:24 AM EDT

                Can't watch the video at work. ;o). Thx for the info though.

                • 1 vote
                #13.1 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:35 AM EDT
                Reply

                Best mugshot ever.

                • 1 vote
                Reply#14 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:24 AM EDT

                Reminds me of a story that happened a few years ago. 911 received a call from a motorist to report a reckless driver. "The guy must be drunk or something. He's all over the road." Police were dispatched and the driver soon spotted. After a brief pursuit and quite a bit of property damage, our perp ended the pursuit by crashing into the back of a truck that was stalled along the shoulder, injuring that driver. About 4-5 police officers dragged his motionless body out of the car, without finesse I might add, had him cuffed and threw in a few blows for good measure.

                On drugs, drunk, wanted, just robbed a bank, I mean this guy was accused of everything. A few days later, when the facts came out, the hospital our reckless driver was admitted to released a statement. It appears our driver was a diabetic that was suffering from diabetic shock. No drugs. No alcohol. Just a sick man.

                I'm happy to report the man sued the pants out of the PD and received a handsome settlement.

                • 13 votes
                Reply#15 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:28 AM EDT

                It is interesting to note, that a member of the police officer , on this discussion, said that it was not bath salts. He also said that bath salts did not make people eat someones face. There have been some really weird crimes happening in the last few months, from the face eating incident, the man going on a rampage , killing and chewing on a dog raw and a woman in Texas who ate part of her baby , I think, I pray the child had passed. If there is a new drug on the scene, it may not be detected by current methods. If this young man is telling the truth, it could well be the beginning of a real life X File. Truth, sometimes , is stranger than fiction.

                  Reply#16 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:29 AM EDT
                  Comment author avatarCurtis Bellomyvia Facebook

                  Here is the real question is he really attempting to smile for his mug shot it looks like it.

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#17 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:34 AM EDT

                  I tend to stay away from putting anything in my body named after explosives, legal or otherwise.

                  • 3 votes
                  Reply#18 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:36 AM EDT

                  "I was cleaning my mom's house to make sure she was happy when she got home, and then I took some pre-workout stuff called C4, and then I went completely nuts"

                  I wonder if the house was ever cleaned?

                  • 4 votes
                  Reply#19 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:37 AM EDT

                  Wouldn't that make his mom doubly unhappy?

                    #19.1 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:12 AM EDT
                    Reply

                    They used pepper spray to get him under control??,yeah right.. He better hope something comes up in a hair,urine,or blood sample.......

                    • 1 vote
                    Reply#20 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:59 AM EDT

                    I don't buy it. Kid got scared...i bet he just didn't think he would get that reaction. Kids lie when scared. Don't buy this story.

                      Reply#21 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:17 AM EDT

                      Whoever is investigating this needs to ask him if he was tired and/or if he had any alcohol in his system when he took the energy supplement. I know of an instance of a person going temporarily insane from a combination of lack of sleep, alcohol, and energy drinks.

                      • 1 vote
                      Reply#22 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:25 AM EDT

                      uh, "I'm just tryin to get some restitution back for what happened"

                      This guy just admitted on film that he was hitting the car thief out of revenge--not defending himself, just looking for "restitution"--how is violence acceptable as restitution?

                      I'm not saying I don't understand the impulse--but to physically attack someone who wasn't physically attacking you first seems illegal. And bragging about it on TV is never a good idea --no matter what happens in this guy's life, he's now on record saying this. Six months or a year from now, if someone attacks him, he's on record admitting he's violent; I hope this doesn't come back to haunt him

                      • 2 votes
                      Reply#23 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:28 AM EDT

                      I was a VICTIM. I don't understand. I don't know what happened. I... I'm really a good person. I don't want my Mommy to be mad. I'm really sorry... that I have to own up to it now, that is.

                      • 3 votes
                      Reply#24 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:28 AM EDT

                      did ANYONE notice the scratch on his eye and lip?

                      Or is it just me?

                      • 2 votes
                      Reply#25 - Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:37 AM EDT
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