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Video shows man steal airline vehicle at SoCal airport
The man, identified by the Orange County Sheriff's Department as Skyler Jay Barr of Everett, Washington, was reportedly a passenger booked on a Delta Air Lines flight to Seattle when he left the terminal through an access door at Gate 12 Tuesday evening.
Airport officials said the incident began at about 5:30 p.m. and triggered a security response on the airfield.
He Took an Airport Tug
Once on the tarmac, authorities say Barr got behind the wheel of an Alaska Airlines tug, a heavy-duty vehicle used to move aircraft and baggage equipment around the airport.
Video obtained by KTLA appears to show the vehicle moving across the ramp as employees and aircraft are nearby.
Barr drove the tug toward Gate 7, where officials say he crashed it into another vehicle.
The incident prompted airport officials to temporarily restrict movement while crews checked the area for debris or other hazards.
Then He Tried to Take Another Vehicle
The bizarre episode reportedly didn't end with the crash.
After abandoning the tug, Barr allegedly attempted to take an American Airlines lavatory service truck, according to airport officials.
Airport police intervened before he could get away with the second vehicle and took him into custody.
Barr was transported to a hospital for evaluation following the incident.
Charges Filed
The Orange County Sheriff's Department said Barr was booked on suspicion of vehicle theft, trespassing and vandalism.
Authorities have not publicly explained why he left the terminal or what prompted the alleged attempt to take the vehicles. It also remains unclear whether drugs or alcohol played any role.
Barr remains accused, and the charges have not been proven in court.
A Brief Security Disruption
The incident triggered a brief disruption at John Wayne Airport as officials responded to the security breach.
Air traffic control audio captured a controller telling pilots that a tug had been stolen and that a ground stop was being put in place. Airport crews subsequently inspected the route between the gates before normal airfield activity resumed.
Despite the unusual security breach, airport officials said operations returned to normal shortly afterward.
The Video Raises Questions
The dramatic footage has drawn attention because of how easily the passenger appears to have made his way from the terminal onto the active airfield before gaining access to an airport vehicle.
Officials have not publicly detailed how Barr was able to breach the secure area.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine what led to the incident and how the passenger managed to reach the tarmac in the first place.
Source: KTLA 5
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