Central Florida News Orlando Weird Florida Crime News florida man, orlando Matt McCarthy June 13, 2024 0 Comments

Florida Man Arrested After Crashing Through Airport Fence, Driving on Runway

A man from Tampa was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly crashing his car through the fence surrounding Orlando International Airport and driving onto the tarmac, according to official records.

The man, identified as Ryan Welch, 37, faces multiple charges, including trespassing in a designated operational area of the airport, burglary of a structure with a motor vehicle, and criminal mischief causing damage equal to or exceeding $1,000. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. near Terminal C, where witnesses reported seeing the vehicle crashing through the airport’s fencing.

According to the arrest affidavit, Welch proceeded to drive onto the runways and taxiways, eventually parking near gate 237. He exited the vehicle shortly before being detained by an airport employee, who managed to restrain him until police arrived.

In response to numerous 911 calls about the situation, Orlando police arrested Welch on the scene. He was jailed on three counts: trespassing on an airport operations area, criminal mischief, and burglary. The probable cause statement did not explain Welch’s motivations for the incident.

At his initial court appearance on Friday, a judge set Welch’s bond at $20,000. Conditions of his release include surrendering any firearms to law enforcement within 24 hours and a ban from returning to the airport.