Delta Passenger Steals Airport Tug, Crashes Before Arrest In CA
9 hours ago
A Delta Air Lines passenger was arrested Tuesday night after authorities say he left a terminal at Southern California’s John Wayne Airport, stole a vehicle from the airfield, crashed it and then tried to take another airport vehicle.
The passenger, who was scheduled to fly to Seattle, exited through an access door near Gate 12 at about 5:30 p.m. PT, airport spokesperson Anna Sophia Servin said.
Authorities said the man then stole a tug, a vehicle used to move luggage trailers and other equipment around the airport. He drove it to Gate 7, where he crashed into another vehicle.
The man then allegedly tried to steal a lavatory service truck operated by American Airlines before airport police arrested him.
The incident briefly disrupted airport operations. An air traffic controller told pilots waiting on the tarmac that there had been a security breach and that a stolen tug had prompted a shutdown.
Airport crews inspected the area between Gates 7 and 12 for debris and other hazards before aircraft movement resumed.
Delta said it has “zero tolerance for unlawful behavior” and is cooperating with law enforcement.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department identified the suspect as 26-year-old Jay Barr. He was arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft, trespassing and vandalism and remained in custody.
John Wayne Airport, located in Orange County south of Los Angeles, serves more than 11 million passengers a year and offers flights to about 50 destinations.
The passenger, who was scheduled to fly to Seattle, exited through an access door near Gate 12 at about 5:30 p.m. PT, airport spokesperson Anna Sophia Servin said.
Authorities said the man then stole a tug, a vehicle used to move luggage trailers and other equipment around the airport. He drove it to Gate 7, where he crashed into another vehicle.
The man then allegedly tried to steal a lavatory service truck operated by American Airlines before airport police arrested him.
The incident briefly disrupted airport operations. An air traffic controller told pilots waiting on the tarmac that there had been a security breach and that a stolen tug had prompted a shutdown.
Airport crews inspected the area between Gates 7 and 12 for debris and other hazards before aircraft movement resumed.
Delta said it has “zero tolerance for unlawful behavior” and is cooperating with law enforcement.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department identified the suspect as 26-year-old Jay Barr. He was arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft, trespassing and vandalism and remained in custody.
John Wayne Airport, located in Orange County south of Los Angeles, serves more than 11 million passengers a year and offers flights to about 50 destinations.
