NEED TO KNOW
- A woman in Chicago was arrested after allegedly trespassing at Midway International Airport in Chicago on Monday, Sept. 22
- After the breach, the 29-year-old allegedly stole a shuttle bus and drove it onto the taxiway
- The woman, who noted her history of mental health issues, later told police she was “just testing security”
A woman was arrested in Chicago after allegedly breaking into Midway International Airport, stealing a shuttle bus and driving it onto the taxiway on Monday, Sept. 22, according to local reports. Afterwards, she told police she was just “testing security,” per court documents obtained by CBS News Chicago.
The 39-year-old was arrested around 4:25 a.m. local time on Monday after a witness saw her on the secured side of the Signature Flight Support hangar, the news station reported, citing a Chicago Police report. The witness saw the woman hop on a shuttle bus and drive it in front of the building. After driving in a circle, the woman returned to the building and the witness lost sight of her.
Two other witnesses provided an account for the police. One said the woman held the hangar door open for her as the witness was pushing a food cart. Another said the suspect had asked to use the restroom in the Signature hangar.
According to the police report, when officers arrived and questioned the woman, she said, “I was just testing security” and “Free Palestine.”
The suspect was charged with a felony count of criminal trespassing at an airport and two misdemeanor trespassing charges. Following her arrest, she informed police that she had a history of mental health problems, prompting a visit to the hospital for evaluation.
The alleged trespassing occurred on the secure side of Midway along Central Avenue, according to CBS News Chicago. The facility is surrounded by barbed wire fencing with a security post for the entrance and exit of screened vehicles.
The suspect made her first appearance in court on Tuesday, Sept. 23, and pleaded not guilty, per ABC 7. She was released, but is due back in court on Monday, Sept. 29.
A spokesperson for the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) shared in a statement with PEOPLE that the agency is “working closely with airport partners to maintain the highest security standards at Chicago’s airports.”
They added: “CDA leadership met with Signature Aviation, a fixed base operator at Midway, to review the details surrounding the matter and reinforce safeguards to protect the airfield.”
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The agency then deferred to the Chicago Police Department, which did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Earlier this year, a food delivery driver made his way into a restricted area at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
On May 17, a 36-year-old DoorDash driver accidentally drove for miles along a restricted road before a worker saw him from the air traffic control tower, CBS News Chicago reported at the time.
According to the outlet, a preliminary investigation found the driver made a mistake and he would not face charges or citations.
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