Delta passenger steals airport vehicle at John‑Wayne Airport
A 26‑year‑old Delta Air Lines passenger took a baggage‑transport vehicle on the tarmac of John‑Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California, in an attempt to board a flight to Seattle. Airport police stopped the suspect after a collision with another vehicle and an attempt to seize a cleaning truck.
Incident on the tarmac
At 17:30 the passenger exited a supposedly secure door and stole a baggage‑transport vehicle. He then collided with another vehicle and later tried to take a cleaning truck before being apprehended by airport police.
KTLA5 broadcast an audio recording of air‑traffic control expressing concern that a vehicle had been stolen from the runway, describing the event as a security breach.
Police and medical actions
The suspect, who lives north of Seattle, was taken to a hospital for medical examinations and subsequently incarcerated. He was charged with vehicle theft, vandalism and intrusion.