SAN JOSE, Calif. (KTVU) – A man is behind bars for allegedly breaching security at Mineta San Jose International Airport on Sunday and leading authorities on a chase after he stole a maintenance truck.
Airport spokeswoman Rosemary Barnes said the man was spotted by workers of Atlantic Aviation on a ramp, otherwise known as a tarmac, on a private side of the airport around 10:15 a.m.
San Jose Police Sgt. Heather Randol identified the man as 39-year-old Miguel Zaragoza.
Barnes said Zaragoza was detained by employees and authorities were notified, but Zaragoza fled and asked a maintenance worker for a ride to the commercial terminals. When the maintenance worker refused, Zaragoza allegedly stole a maintenance truck and drove to Terminal B where he was arrested.
“Our layers of security worked,” Barnes said. “Our staff that are badged and part of our security program identified an unauthorized person on the ramp and they took the appropriate actions in order to apprehend this individual.”
Barnes said airport operations were not affected and the public was never in any danger.
“To be honest with you it's really not that big of a surprise because there are so many people and there are ways of getting by security,” passenger Nancy Sorta said.
There have been a couple of other incidents of security issues at San Jose International this year, most notably in April, when a teenager jumped a fence onto the tarmac and climbed into the wheel well of a flight to Hawaii.
Zaragoza will face charges for possession of a stolen vehicle and trespassing. No injuries were reported.
Police are investigating whether he was under the influence of any substance.
For more stories go to ktvu.com
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