Delta passenger arrested at John Wayne Airport after taking tug

A passenger on a Delta Air Lines flight was arrested at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, after he allegedly took an airport tug and drove it into a utility cart, airport officials said. The incident happened on October 6, 2026, and briefly halted aircraft movements on the airfield.

According to officials, the man was scheduled to fly to Seattle. He left the terminal at about 17:30 local time through an emergency exit at Gate 12 in Terminal B, setting off an alarm. Outside, he took a tug belonging to Alaska Airlines, used to move aircraft and baggage carts, and drove it to Gate 7, where it hit the utility cart. He then tried to take a lavatory service truck operated by American Airlines before airport police detained him.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department identified him as Skyler Jay Barr, 26, of Everett, Washington. He faces charges of vehicle theft, trespassing and vandalism and remained in custody at the county jail as of October 7, 2026. He was taken to a hospital for assessment after the collision.

Operations were paused during the breach. Controllers told pilots waiting on the ground that a tug had been taken. Crews checked the taxiway between Gates 7 and 12 for debris and other hazards before flights resumed.

Delta said it was working with law enforcement. Alaska Airlines referred questions about the tug to ground handler AGI, which officials said owns the vehicle.