That man somehow breached airport security and ended up on the tarmac, in a safe area that only airport employees had access to, according to the county sheriff’s department. Orange.
Authorities say the suspect took control of an airport vehicle and drove it out of Terminal C, before he left the vehicle and disappeared.
The blockade set for around 6pm prevented the planes from taking off and several lined up on the runway could be seen. Airport passengers appeared to be sitting on the sidewalk as they waited for the lock to be lifted.
An Orange County Sheriff’s Department helicopter was also gliding over the runways. A police dog was also brought in to help search the terminal area.
After a sweep at the airport, the suspect was finally placed inside a penthouse on a roof of the terminal. Authorities rejected him and he was arrested.
Subsequently, the airport tweeted about the reopening of the terminal and that passengers were being processed at security checks, although officials noted that flight delays and cancellations were expected.
Copyright © 2021 KABC-TV. All rights reserved.