JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A man arrested at Jacksonville International Airport over the weekend told police he planned to steal an airplane Sunday morning, police reports show.
The report states 25-year-old Derrick Barton, II, told police he had done drugs. Police said he caused a security breach when he attempted to steal Jacksonville Aviation Authority vehicles and crashed through fencing.
A private security guard at JIA who wanted to remain anonymous described his disbelief over what police said took place on Cole Flyer Road Sunday morning. For the security guard, the incident started with him seeing a vehicle speeding toward him.
“It was scary nonetheless because it was probably 30 yards away and you don't know if that car’s gonna keep coming at you or what,” the security guard said.
Police said Barton crashed a JAA vehicle through fencing then ran into a maintenance warehouse and tried to steal three more vehicles before getting arrested with cocaine. The security guard said he watched Barton crash through one fence, whip around a corner and crash through another.
“My feeling to the whole thing was just like, ‘No way, I just didn't witness that,’” the security guard said.
The police report states there was $40,000 worth of damage to the fencing and the incident caused a security breach.
“It’s just like, wow, was that real?" said the security guard. "At first you think, 'Oh, maybe it was an accident, maybe it's just somebody put their, you know, an acceleration problem.' But then when you see the second part, it's like, 'Oh, wow, hey, something serious is going on here.'”
The incident report states Barton told police he’d done cocaine earlier and had no explanation for his behavior, saying he didn’t know why he was at the airport. The report states a firefighter asked him what he was going to do and he replied, “Probably fly a plane away.”
“He put himself in danger as well as others,” said First Coast News Crime and Safety Expert Ken Jefferson.
Police say Barton was first reported as a suspicious person at the airport's rental car return area at the daily garage. Jefferson said to report suspicious activity.
“If your gut tells you that this person is acting suspicious, just contact law enforcement officials," he said. "They’re not hard to find in an airport.”
The security guard agreed.
“When you see something, you know the old saying, say something,” he said.
Barton now faces eight felony charges.
A JAX spokesperson sent First Coast News the following statement:
"We are thankful to the airport employee who informed police dispatch about a suspicious person in the parking garage and to our officers for responding in a professional manner, avoiding any serious incidents.
At Jacksonville International Airport, safety and security is our number one priority. We encourage travelers and employees who notice suspicious behavior at the airport to notify the proper authorities. If you see something suspicious, say something."