A Zion man is facing several charges after an unusual incident at Campbell Airport near Grayslake where he was found driving on an active runway and later inside an aircraft. The man identified as Erik Deanda-Gonalez, 30, was detained on Tuesday under charges including criminal trespass to an airport runway, a misdemeanor, and other related offenses, as reported by the Chicago Tribune.
Responding to a call just before noon, Lake County Sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene to find Deanda-Gonzalez, who had been racing his Toyota across the runway, according to FOX 32 Chicago. Described racing back and forth, he then parked his vehicle and allegedly commenced to enter hangars at the airport. The deputies found him in an airplane near the taxiway, said officials.
Officers reported that airport employees indicated Deanda-Gonzalez had no entitlement to be inside the aircraft. Following a brief interaction with authorities, and while being escorted back to his car, Deanda-Gonzalez "turned around and went back to the airplane and tried to climb back inside," leading to his arrest, as per the Chicago Tribune.
Further investigations led to the discovery of ammunition in Deanda-Gonalez's car, although no weapon was found. The arrested individual did not explain his behavior and has been released with conditions pending his next court appointment scheduled for September 3, as detailed by FOX 32 Chicago.
