Just before midnight Sunday, Boulder City police said Weddle stole a Scenic Airlines Cessna and took it for a joyride above the airport.
Police described his operation of the plane as reckless.
The arrest report said he did several takeoffs and landings. Weddle then made two 360 degree turns at a high speed on the tarmac and came to a stop very close to another plane. Weddle refused numerous commands by police to surrender.
The officers were finally able to get close enough and take him to the ground and place him in custody, said Boulder City Sgt. John Glenn.
Once grounded, they arrested him for obstruction and stealing an aircraft. They also suspected he was under the influence. His eyes were bloodshot and watery and his speech was slurred, said Sgt. Glenn.
Weddle's blood alcohol was .132. He told police he was trying to complete his pilot's license requirements.
Police said Weddle was an employee at the airport two years ago. If gate codes weren't changed Weddle could have entered through a secured gate.
Sgt. Glenn said there is no way to completely stop this from happening. You can't have 100-percent security anyplace and planes are not securable.
Glenn recommends the airport install closed circuit TV, security lighting and raising fences with barbed wire. While changes come at a cost, it may just help prevent this from happening again.
Scenic Airlines didn't want to comment, citing an ongoing FAA investigation.
As for Weddle, he is now at the Clark County Detention Center. He appeared in a Boulder City courtroom Tuesday morning.
The judge set bail at $101,000. His next court appearance is March 11.
http://www.jrn.com
Paul Weddle’s breath smelled of alcohol and his words slurred as he spoke to the officers Sunday night after he had been forced out of the white Cessna Caravan airplane.
Moments before, Boulder City Police watched him take the plane on a joy ride. He landed and took off twice, made two 360-degree turns in the air and nearly hit another airplane. When the officers finally arrested him, he said he had taken the airplane to complete the take-off and landing portion of his pilot’s license.
He blew a .132 blood alcohol content on his preliminary breath test.
These were the details outlined in a Boulder City arrest report of Weddle, 47, who was arrested Sunday night for unlawful taking of an aircraft, obstructing a police officer and flying an aircraft under the influence.
The report indicates the following:
Police responded about 11:25 p.m. to reports of a stolen Scenic Airlines airplane at 1301 Airport Road in Boulder City. The airline’s director claimed Weddle had taken off and landed three times.
Officers saw Weddle struggle to control the airplane in the air and demanded he stop and put his hands up once he landed. Weddle exited the plane but refused to show his hands. Police tackled him to the ground and arrested him.
He was transported to Boulder City Hospital, where he was willing to provide a blood sample.
Weddle was booked into the Clark County Detention Center and is expected to appear in court at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Story: http://www.lasvegassun.com
Paul Michael Weddle
No comments:
Post a Comment