A 26-year-old passenger was apprehended this week at John Wayne Airport, facing allegations of stealing a specialized vehicle designed for airport operations and attempting to take another. Skyler Jay Barr, identified as being from Everett, Washington, was taken into custody on Tuesday following an incident that unfolded on the airfield of the Orange County transportation hub. As of Wednesday, Barr remained behind bars.
According to information released by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Barr was booked on suspicion of several offenses, including vehicle theft, trespassing, and vandalism. These charges stem from his alleged actions earlier in the week at the airport.
The sequence of events began on Tuesday when Barr, who was a passenger with Delta Airlines, reportedly departed from Gate 12 located within the airport terminal. From that point, he gained unauthorized access to the airfield, according to a spokeswoman for John Wayne Airport. This entry onto the secure airfield initiated the series of alleged vehicle-related incidents.
Once on the airfield, Barr was accused of stealing an Alliance Ground International tug. This particular type of heavy-duty vehicle is commonly utilized for crucial ground support functions, such as towing aircraft and moving baggage across the busy tarmac areas of an airport. The spokeswoman for the airport detailed this initial alleged theft.
The incident escalated further when Barr reportedly crashed the stolen tug. The vehicle, specifically assigned to Alaska Airlines at the time, collided with another vehicle located near Gate 7. This crash would have caused damage and potential disruption to ground operations at the gate, according to the airport spokeswoman.
Following these alleged actions, Barr was confronted by airport security. He was arrested by airport security personnel as he was attempting to steal an American Airlines truck, the spokeswoman confirmed. This intervention by security prevented any further unauthorized access or theft of vehicles on the airport grounds, bringing the incident to a close.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is continuing to oversee the booking process and further investigation into the full scope of charges against Skyler Jay Barr. The prompt response by airport security helped to ensure the safety and security of the busy airport environment in Orange County following the alleged breach and vehicle thefts.
