A 26-year-old airline passenger was arrested after allegedly breaching airport security, stealing a ground vehicle and crashing it on the tarmac at John Wayne Airport in Southern California, authorities said.

The incident briefly affected airport operations, but officials said normal operations resumed shortly afterward. The suspect’s motive has not been publicly established.

~5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 6

Gate 12

Alleged Point of Entry to Airfield

2 Vehicles

Allegedly Taken or Targeted

Resumed

Normal Airport Operations

What Happened on the Airfield

  • 1Skyler Jay Barr, a passenger scheduled to fly from Orange County to Seattle on Delta Air Lines, allegedly entered the airfield through Gate 12.
  • 2Once on the tarmac, he allegedly took a tug vehicle assigned to Alaska Airlines, a utility vehicle commonly used to move aircraft and baggage carts.
  • 3The tug was driven across the airfield, at one point close to a parked aircraft according to video footage, before crashing into another vehicle near Gate 7.
  • 4He then allegedly attempted to take an American Airlines lavatory service truck, but airport police apprehended him before he could leave in it.
  • 5He was transported to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation and later booked into custody.

Suspected Offenses

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department identified Barr as a resident of Everett, Washington. He was booked on suspicion of:

Vehicle theft Vandalism Trespassing in a restricted airport area

Delta’s Response

Delta Air Lines said it has zero tolerance for unlawful behavior and is cooperating fully with law enforcement.

Why Airfield Access Matters

The incident is a reminder of the potential consequences of unauthorized access to restricted airport areas, where ground vehicles operate in close proximity to aircraft and airport personnel. Barr has not been convicted of any offense, and the allegations have not been proven in court.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A passenger allegedly entered the airfield, took an airline tug vehicle and crashed it into another vehicle, then attempted to take a second vehicle before being arrested.

At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department identified the suspect as Skyler Jay Barr, 26, of Everett, Washington. He was a passenger scheduled to fly to Seattle on Delta Air Lines.

According to authorities, he allegedly entered the airfield through Gate 12.

A tug is a utility vehicle commonly used to move aircraft and baggage carts. The one involved was assigned to Alaska Airlines.

No injuries to others were reported. The suspect was taken to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation after being apprehended.

He was booked on suspicion of vehicle theft, vandalism and trespassing in a restricted airport area.

His motive for entering the airfield and taking the vehicles has not been publicly established.

The security breach briefly affected airport operations, but officials said normal operations resumed shortly afterward.

Delta Air Lines said it has zero tolerance for unlawful behavior and is cooperating fully with law enforcement.