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Photos of stolen plane in graphic from KVVU Fox 5The North Las Vegas police have arrested a man accused of stealing a plane for a joyride, which he later crash-landed. Police said the man stole a 2020 Kitfox fixed-wing single-engine aircraft on Dec. 30, flying it from the North Las Vegas Airport (VGT) and across state lines to Barstow, California. Now, pilots in the Las Vegas area are raising concerns about airport security.
North Las Vegas Police told KTVU Fox 2 that 40-year-old Damian Zukaitis was taken into custody and faces charges of possession of a stolen airplane and transporting stolen property across state lines, with additional charges pending. KTVU reports that Zukaitis landed on a roadway near the Barstow-Daggett Airport (DAG) where the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office made contact with him. USA Today reports that law enforcement was alerted of the stolen plane at about 6:48 p.m. They said Zukaitis fled into the desert on foot before the deputies arrived and was later arrested. The plane owner found beer bottles, cans and part of a cannabis cigarette inside. Authorities have also shared that there were reports from the airport that there were other suspected plane break-in attempts on Dec. 27, 28 and 29 and they believe Zukaitis may have been behind these.
A local pilot sent air traffic control audio to News 3 from when the suspect entered the Harry Reid International (LAS) airspace but the station reports the ATC did not seem aware the plane was stolen. The controller asked the Kitfox pilot to turn right immediately as he had entered Class Bravo airspace, to which there was no response as the plane continued its illegal flight to California. News 3 reported that Air Force Search and Rescue told the owner of the Kitfox that it had landed near Barstow after receiving an alert from the plane's emergency location transmitter. The owner told Search and Rescue he was not flying the plane, drove to his hangar and saw that his plane was missing.
Weston Prince, an instructor at the North Las Vegas Airport told News 3 he has had fuel stolen out of his plane, parts missing, and when he put cameras up to monitor the situation, those were also taken down. Another pilot told KVVU Fox 5 that he raised concerns to investigators twice. He reported that he once found a plane untied, a cover removed and the master engine turned on, along with damaged locks. Prince told the news station he saw Zukaitis steal the plane while he was flying with a student.
"We were coming into land, the plane took off kind of a little shaky on the radios," Prince said to News 3. "But immediately, as soon as it rotated off the runway, it completely veered off almost into the other runway and made a pretty big commotion. We were kind of like what the heck is wrong with this guy?"
Prince told News 3 he was unaware the plane was being stolen at the time. He described the other instances of attempted thievery at the airport.
"One plane was hit two times, back-to-back," Prince said to News 3. "We definitely hope that there's some security measures put in place. It's just, it's unacceptable for a plane to be stolen, right off the field."
Numerous pilots told Fox 5 that they have been taking precautions, like moving closer to security cameras or lights. The planes outside of hangars are tied down and some pilots reported using heavier chains as an added security boost. With a plane successfully stolen, local pilots hope this will be the push needed to address changes to enhance security, like more officers, surveillance or fencing. Helicopter pilot Mike Field told News 3 that anyone could access the airport by jumping over a wall or fence. The airport said it is monitored 24 hours a day by a security system and procedures and practices are consistently reviewed.
The case is under investigation and police confirmed to Fox 5 that the FBI took over the case on Thursday. A spokesperson from the airport told Fox 5 that they are closely working with the police department, and the safety and security of pilots, tenants and passengers is a top priority. The spokesperson said the airport has contacted the private security company that patrols after hours and encourages pilots and tenants to secure their properties by locking and properly tying down aircraft and locking hangars. Some pilots hope this is a wake-up call for other pilots and local authorities, acting as a reminder that aircraft are easier to steal than people think and that smaller airports need a bigger security presence.