Unauthorized Incident at John Wayne Airport

A man at John Wayne Airport was apprehended after he allegedly accessed a restricted area on Tuesday evening. It all began around 5:30 p.m. when he exited through a door leading outside, descended some stairs, and entered a ramp area typically reserved for authorized personnel—where various service vehicles like baggage and fuel trucks operate.

After gaining access, he reportedly hopped onto an airport tug and drove it from near Gate 12 toward Gate 7, ultimately getting close to the American Airlines section. He even attempted to enter one of the airline’s vehicles, though it seems he didn’t manage to get inside.

The whole escapade didn’t last long. According to Marisa Unvert, the airport’s communications manager, the man was arrested roughly ten minutes later. He was subsequently taken for evaluation at a hospital, though it remains unclear if intoxication was a factor in his actions.

The ramp is a highly sensitive area, utilized primarily by airport and airline staff for moving around equipment associated with aircraft operations. Thankfully, the situation was resolved quickly, and the suspect was unable to reach his intended vehicle before authorities intervened.