Man flies stolen plane from North Las Vegas to California
A man is facing multiple charges after he reportedly stole a small plane from the North Las Vegas Airport over the weekend and flew it to California.
Damian Zukaitis, 40, allegedly broke into the cockpit of the Kitfox single-engine plane at about 2pm. Saturday at North Las Vegas Airport.
He started the engine and the plane took off with Zukaitis at the controls. It was unclear whether he applied for takeoff permission from the airport tower.
Zukaitis then flew approximately 150 miles before landing near Barstow-Daggett Airport in San Bernardino County, California.
The plane was parked on a road near Barstow, California. Officials with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office found him.
Initially, police were unaware the plane had been stolen. Zukaitis became frightened and fled the authorities. He managed to reach the nearby desert. Police eventually caught him and arrested him.
Own a stolen aircraft
Zukaitis is charged with possessing a stolen aircraft and transporting stolen property across state lines. Nevada authorities may file additional charges. Nevada prosecutors will seek his extradition from California so he can stand trial.
The U.S. Air Force contacted the unnamed owner of the plane to ask how the plane got to Barstow.
The owners then traveled to Barstow. He found what appeared to be marijuana and beer cans/bottles in the cockpit, the Florida online news site The Courier reported.
A folder containing detailed instructions for landing at the Corona Municipal Airport in California was also found in the cockpit. Corona Airport is located approximately 100 miles south of Barstow-Daggett Airport.
According to Las Vegas TV station KVVU, the owner was unable to fly the plane back to North Las Vegas due to damage to the propeller and engine.
Over the weekend, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) launched an investigation along with local authorities in California and Nevada.
Break into other planes
North Las Vegas police investigating the airport break-in discovered that Zukaitis allegedly tried to break into other planes last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. One of the three aircraft was damaged.
As of earlier this week, it was unclear why he stole the plane - whether it was for a joyride or for a specific purpose.
Zukaitis suffered no major injuries during the theft, flight or landing.
North Las Vegas Airport is located three miles northwest of downtown Las Vegas. It is operated by the Clark County Aviation Department. It is much smaller than Harry Reid International Airport.
The Barstow-Daggett Airport is a county complex located approximately 14 miles east of Barstow.
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Source: www.casino.org
