A Delta Air Lines passenger was arrested after breaching security at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, stealing an airfield tug and crashing it on the tarmac. The incident disrupted operations briefly on Tuesday evening before airport crews cleared the area and services resumed.
The passenger, identified by authorities as Skyler Jay Barr, 26, of Everett, Washington, entered the airfield through an emergency door at Gate 12 in Terminal B around 5:30 p.m. He then took an Alaska Airlines tug used for towing aircraft and baggage carts, drove it to Gate 7 and collided with another vehicle. Airport officials said he next tried to steal an American Airlines lavatory service truck before police detained him.
Barr was taken to hospital for evaluation after the crash and was booked on suspicion of vehicle theft, trespassing and vandalism. Delta is cooperating with law enforcement, while investigators have not identified a motive and no lawyer for Barr was immediately available. Airport officials said the disruption was short-lived and operations resumed after crews checked the taxiway for debris or hazards.