A Delta Air Lines passenger was accused of breaching airport security, crashing a stolen aircraft tug, and trying to take a second truck, according to reports.
10/07/2026 4:29 p.m.
Jay Barr, 26, was charged with vehicle theft, trespassing, and vandalism, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in California. He was arrested after the incident at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana at around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, ABC7 Eyewitness News in Los Angeles reported.
Barr was scheduled to fly from Orange County to Seattle when he went through an access door at Gate 12, CNN reported. He then stole an Alaska Airlines tug, a vehicle used to move luggage trailers or aircraft around the airfield, and drove it toward Gate 7, according to airport officials.
Barr crashed the tug into another vehicle near
Barr crashed the tug into another vehicle near Gate 7 before trying to take an American Airlines airplane bathroom service truck, officials said. Airport police stopped him and took him into custody.
Radio communications captured air traffic controllers alerting pilots to the security breach.
“Yeah, looks like someone stole a tug, a security breach at the airport, someone stole a tug so they pretty much shut down, put a ground stop in effect,” an air traffic controller said.
Flights were briefly halted while airport crews inspected the route between Gates 7 and 12 for debris. While the air traffic controller mentioned a ground stop, airport officials said no official ground stop was issued.
The Gate 7 area was closed for about
The Gate 7 area was closed for about 10 minutes while authorities responded. Officials said the incident didn’t affect overall airport operations.
Barr was later taken to a hospital to be evaluated.
“Delta has zero tolerance for unlawful behavior, and we take all incidents seriously,” the airline said in a statement to CNN. “Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our customers and people, and we are cooperating fully with law enforcement.”
John Wayne Airport is about 40 miles southeast of Los Angeles and offers flights to more than 50 destinations.
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