Passenger steals tug at John Wayne Airport, authorities say

A passenger booked on a Delta Air Lines flight to Seattle was taken into custody Tuesday night after authorities said the passenger breached Gate 12 at John Wayne Airport, stole an Alaska Airlines tug and crashed it into another vehicle, KTLA reported.

The incident unfolded at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, and an airport spokesperson told KTLA that airport operations were not disrupted. The criminal case has been turned over to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

KTLA reported that the incident happened at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at John Wayne Airport in Orange County. The passenger was booked on a Delta Air Lines flight to Seattle, according to the station.

An airport spokesperson told KTLA that the passenger breached Gate 12 and gained access to the airfield. Authorities said the passenger then took an Alaska Airlines tug used to pull luggage and cargo.

The tug crashed into another vehicle near Gate 7, KTLA reported, citing officials. Authorities said the passenger then tried to take an American Airlines lavatory service truck.

Airport Police Services took the passenger into custody and transported the person to a local hospital for evaluation, according to KTLA. The station reported that the criminal case was turned over to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

The airport spokesperson told KTLA the incident did not disrupt airport operations.

Authorities did not release additional details about the passenger in the facts reported by KTLA.