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Sunday, 11 October 2026dailybeirut.com
Miscellaneous
A 26-year-old Washington man stole an aircraft tug and drove recklessly through the tarmac at John Wayne Airport before police arrested him.
Skyler Jay Bar, a 26-year-old resident of Everett, Washington, was taken into custody after allegedly stealing an aircraft tug and driving it recklessly across the tarmac at John Wayne Airport in southern California. The incident transformed the airport apron into a scene of chaos as Bar maneuvered the heavy vehicle among parked planes and ground support equipment.
Gerard McCann, a spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, confirmed that authorities detained Bar on suspicion of vehicle theft, vandalism, and entering a restricted area. The arrest followed a brief but dangerous episode where the suspect reportedly collided with another vehicle and attempted to commandeer a second truck.
Circulating video footage shows Bar operating the tug erratically within the airport grounds. At one point, he approached an Alaska Airlines aircraft dangerously close, raising fears of a potential collision. According to the New York Post, the events began around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday while Bar was waiting for his flight.
Bar allegedly slipped through a door leading to a restricted zone outside the passenger terminals. He descended stairs onto the ground service apron, an area designated for teams handling luggage, fuel, food, and other supplies. Prosecutors claim he seized an aircraft tug near Gate 12 and drove it toward Gate 7.
The suspect reached the American Airlines section of the apron, where he reportedly tried to climb into one of the company’s vehicles. During this movement, he struck another vehicle. Authorities also suspect he attempted to steal a truck used for emptying aircraft sewage tanks, further escalating the danger on the active airfield.
Marissa Envert, communications director for John Wayne Airport, told the California Post that law enforcement apprehended Bar approximately ten minutes after the incident began. The aircraft maneuvering area is strictly prohibited to passengers, accessible only to authorized personnel due to the high volume of moving equipment and ground operations.
Following his arrest, Bar was transported to a hospital to assess and treat injuries sustained during the event. He was subsequently booked into jail. Officials have not yet determined whether alcohol influenced Bar’s actions at the time of the incident.
