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Woman Who Drove Around O'Hare Airfield Not Charged

No charges are expected against a woman who commandeered an aircraft tug and drove it around the airfield at O'Hare International Airport for several minutes before being apprehended by police on Thursday.

The young woman, whose exact age was not available, appeared extremely disoriented and unaware of her surroundings when police caught up with her on the O'Hare airfield at about 12:45 p.m. Thursday, Aviation Department spokeswoman Monique Bond said.

The woman had somehow gained access to the airfield and climbed into a tug, the vehicle used to tow aviation equipment, Bond said. She was driving around just a few minutes before she was spotted by airport workers and apprehended by airport law enforcement officers. They knew she did not belong there because she did not have an identification badge, Bond said. The woman also did not have a ticket on her.

The woman was questioned by police in what Bond called a "very disoriented interaction." No charges would be filed, she said.

The woman drove the tug near a runway that was not being used at the time, and Bond said workers or passengers were never in danger. She said the journey was confined mostly to the area by the United Airlines gates.

Bond said that the ability of law enforcement to capture the woman so quickly showed that the airport's "multi-layered" security procedures were effective.

"The system worked," she said.

Aviation officials believe they know how the woman accessed the airfield without a badge or ticket, but Bond would not reveal that information so as not to give anyone any ideas.

The woman was never employed by O'Hare, Bond said. She could not confirm if the woman was released to her home or if she was being held at a hospital or other facility.
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