A Delta passenger was arrested after driving a stolen airport tug, crashing into another vehicle and attempting to take a second truck.
SANTA ANA, CA — A 26-year-old airline passenger was arrested after allegedly breaching security at John Wayne Airport, stealing an Alaska Airlines ground vehicle and crashing it into another vehicle Tuesday evening, Oct. 6. Video captured part of the incident as airport workers and police responded to the security breach.
The incident unfolded around 5:30 p.m. at the Orange County airport, where the man had been scheduled to board a Delta Air Lines flight to Seattle. Airport officials said he entered the restricted airfield through an access door at Gate 12 before taking control of a tug, a ground vehicle used to move luggage trailers and other airport equipment.
Authorities identified the suspect as a 26-year-old Washington state resident. News reports differed on his first name, with KTLA identifying him as Skyler Barr and CNN reporting Jay Barr. Both reports attributed their information to law enforcement. The discrepancy had not been resolved in the available accounts.
Video recorded by witness Guadalupe Olayo and obtained by KTLA shows the man operating the stolen tug near parked aircraft. The footage shows the vehicle reversing and moving across the airfield as a uniformed airport employee approaches. The recording provides a view of the security breach, which unfolded in an area normally restricted to authorized airport personnel and vehicles.
Airport officials said the man drove the Alaska Airlines tug from the Gate 12 area toward Gate 7, where he crashed into another vehicle. He then allegedly attempted to take an American Airlines lavatory service truck, which is used to service aircraft waste systems. Airport Police Services officers stopped him before he could take the second vehicle.
The suspect was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital for evaluation following the collision. Authorities reported his arrest on suspicion of vehicle theft, trespassing and vandalism. The available reports did not establish the extent of his injuries or explain why he entered the restricted airfield.
Air traffic control communications captured during the incident showed that pilots were aware of unusual police activity near aircraft. One pilot asked controllers about the law enforcement response, prompting a controller to explain that someone had stolen an airport tug and that a security breach was underway.
Although a controller referred to a ground stop during the radio exchange, airport officials said no formal ground stop was issued. Aircraft movements were briefly interrupted while crews responded. The area near Gate 7 was closed for approximately 10 minutes, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.
Airport crews also inspected the taxiway between Gates 7 and 12 for debris and other hazards before normal aircraft movements resumed. Officials said the incident did not cause a significant disruption to overall airport operations.
Delta Air Lines said it was cooperating with law enforcement and emphasized its commitment to passenger and employee safety. The airline said it does not tolerate unlawful behavior and takes security incidents seriously. Alaska Airlines and American Airlines were also connected to the incident because their ground vehicles were involved.
The episode raised questions about how a ticketed passenger was able to leave the terminal and enter an active airfield. Airport officials confirmed the access point involved but had not publicly explained what allowed the passenger to pass into the restricted area or whether additional security measures would follow.
As of Oct. 8, the suspect had been arrested, and airport operations had returned to normal. Authorities had not publicly established a motive for the incident. Further information about any formal court proceedings or additional investigative findings was not confirmed in the available reports.
Author note: Last updated October 8, 2026.