Man drives patrol car on airport runway, police say

Newson6.com

TULSA, Okla. -- A 23-year-old man was arrested early Tuesday after allegedly leading authorities on a high-speed chase, assaulting an airport security officer, then driving his patrol car onto a runway at Tulsa International Airport.

Daniel McCoy was jailed under suspicion of a stolen vehicle, attempted theft of an airport vehicle, assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest and trespassing.

TIA officials said no cargo planes were able to get in or out of the airport for about an hour while a search for McCoy was underway. No one was seriously injured and no passengers were affected.

About midnight, a Tulsa police officer spotted a stolen car near 11th St. and Memorial, police said. The officer tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver sped off. Five minutes later another police officer reported that he saw the car speeding at 100 mph on I-244. That police officer followed the driver, who got off the highway and headed north on Memorial.

McCoy then missed a curve on Memorial and ran into a ditch, police said. He then reportedly got out of the car, jumped a fence and ran onto Tulsa International Airport property. McCoy then allegedly assaulted an airport police officer and stole the officer's car, driving it onto a runway to escape police.

With the help of American Airlines security forces, the Air National Guard and a police dog, Tulsa police found and arrested McCoy just outside the airport a little before 6 a.m.

The airport has been reopened for both incoming and outgoing flights.