Man Arrested at John Wayne Airport After Driving Tarmac Vehicle

A man waiting for his flight at John Wayne Airport was arrested on Tuesday evening after allegedly entering a restricted area and driving an airport tug across the airfield. The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. when the man exited through a restricted door, descended a set of stairs, and accessed the ramp area where service vehicles operate. He drove the tug from near Gate 12 toward Gate 7, reaching the American Airlines section and attempting to enter one of the airline's vehicles. The unauthorized ride lasted approximately 10 minutes before the man was arrested, according to Marisa Unvert, communications manager for John Wayne Airport. He was subsequently taken to a hospital for evaluation, and it remains unclear if he was intoxicated. The ramp is designated for authorized personnel only, as it is used for moving vehicles and equipment around aircraft. The suspect did not gain access to the American Airlines vehicle before his arrest.