Video shows airport bandit sneaking onto tarmac via baggage belt
A limber trespasser dove into a luggage conveyor belt and snuck onto the tarmac at Miami International airport before being subdued by cops, security footage shows.
The bearded man pretended to talk on his cellphone and strolled past an empty security checkpoint near the American Airlines counter Saturday — and then plunged headfirst into the conveyor belt, video obtained by the Miami Herald shows.
The man crawled through the luggage carousel and made his way onto the runway before being chased by a handful of airport employees in neon vests and getting handcuffed by police.
“Had there been a plane at that gate, this individual could have entered the plane or had access to the aircraft. This is a very restricted area, only accessible to some with very limited access, and he was able to gain access. Very concerning,” the source told the Miami Herald, adding that the man made it to a highly restricted area most employees can’t even access.
Airport spokesman Marc Henderson said the incident was still under investigation and that it remained unclear whether the man was a passenger, employee or even scheduled to fly at all.
Miami Dade police did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.