Man Arrested After Stealing Tug Vehicle at John Wayne Airport

A man waiting to board a flight at John Wayne Airport allegedly breached a restricted door Tuesday evening, commandeered an airport tug and drove it across the airfield toward the American Airlines gates.

The unusual episode began at approximately 5:30 p.m., when the man exited through a door leading outside the terminal. He descended a staircase and entered the airport ramp, a secure area used by baggage handlers, fueling crews, catering staff and other service vehicles.

Authorities allege that he climbed into a tug and drove it from the area near Gate 12 toward Gate 7. He ultimately reached the American Airlines section and tried to enter one of the carrier’s vehicles.

The unauthorized drive lasted only a few minutes.

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“Probably about 10 minutes to when he was arrested,” Marisa Unvert, John Wayne Airport’s communications manager, told The California Post.

The man was arrested and transported to a hospital for evaluation. Officials had not determined whether he was intoxicated.

Airport ramps are off-limits to the public and reserved for authorized airport and airline personnel who move vehicles and equipment around aircraft.

The suspect was taken into custody before he could enter the American Airlines vehicle he had attempted to access.