Girl, 17, Arrested After Trying to Steal Plane at Fresno Yosemite International, Airport Says

A 17-year-old girl was arrested at Fresno Yosemite International Airport on Wednesday after she breached an airport fence, entered a private airplane and tried to fly it away.

The girl, who appeared to be disoriented, according to airport officials, will be booked into juvenile hall on charges of theft of an aircraft.

Officials said there was no indication that the incident was related to domestic terrorism by the girl. She was seated in the pilot seat of the plane and wearing a headset when she was taken into custody by airport and Fresno police officers.

The incident took place about 7:30 a.m. in the General Aviation area, near East Shields and North Winery avenues.

Spokeswoman Vikkie Calderon said the girl put on the pilot’s headset and was able to start one of the King Air 200’s engines. She crashed into a fence, causing substantial damage to the aircraft. The girl never got the plane off the ground.

Calderon said no passenger aircraft were endangered at any time during the incident.

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