SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Arraignment is scheduled Monday for a man accused of commandeering an employee shuttle bus at San Diego International Airport and driving off with eight employees inside.
Norberto Eaton, 46, is charged with kidnapping, auto theft and reckless driving.
Eaton was scheduled to be arraigned on those charges last Thursday and Friday but was not brought to court.
Last Tuesday at about 3:45 p.m., an employee shuttle bus was stolen from the front of Terminal 2 West at the airport, according to Harbor Police. Authorities said the shuttle bus driver pulled up to the curb pick-up area and stepped off the bus to pass a piece of equipment to another driver.
A passenger on the bus, identified as Eaton, then took the driver's seat and drove off, along with eight employees on board. The alleged auto thief
drove on to North Harbor Drive at a high rate of speed, ignoring traffic signals, police said.
When Eaton was forced to stop in heavy traffic near Hawthorn Street, two airport employees approached him, and he jumped off the bus, according to police.
A San Diego City Parking Enforcement officer and one of the passengers from the shuttle were able to detain the suspect, police said.
Police said Eaton was from Arizona and was not an employee at the airport.
None of the employees on the stolen shuttle bus were injured.
