Man seized after commandeering airport tug and driving on runway at John Wayne Airport
A passenger at John Wayne Airport slipped into a restricted area, stole a service tug and drove it across the airfield before being arrested.
At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, a traveler at John Wayne Airport in Southern California accessed a door that opened onto the restricted ramp, the zone where baggage handlers and fuel trucks operate. He descended stairs, entered the ramp and climbed onto an airport tug, driving it from the vicinity of Gate 12 toward Gate 7 and into the American Airlines area, where he tried to get into an airline vehicle. The unauthorized excursion lasted about ten minutes before airport security intervened and the individual was arrested.
He was subsequently transported to a hospital for a medical assessment, though it remains unclear if he was under the influence. The ramp is normally off-limits to the public, reserved for authorized personnel and equipment. No damage or injuries were reported during the incident.
Why it matters
The incident highlights security gaps at busy airports and the need for stricter access controls to restricted zones.
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