HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (KRON) — Why did a homeless man purportedly take a personal plane in Palo Alto, fly it over a seaside range of mountains, and land on a sandy beach in Half Moon Bay? On Wednesday, the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office revealed a motive behind the peculiar criminal activity.
Luiz Gustavo Aires, 50, informed private investigators he wished to “show the government that airports lack proper security,” the DA’s Office created.
When Aires made his initial court look for an accusation on Tuesday, he informed the court that his genuine name is “Sunrock.”
Aires, also known as “Sunrock,” slid via a void in Palo Alto Airport’s border fencing on February 8. The steel fencing showed up to have actually been reduced open by a person.
Aires had the ability to begin the 1960s American Champion plane’s solitary engine without an essential and launch, district attorneys stated. After going on a high-flying happiness trip, he selected a lengthy sandy beach as a touchdown strip. Videos fired by witnesses reveal the plane making a reasonably smooth touchdown in between Poplar and Redondo coastlines.
(Image politeness San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office)
Aires informed private investigators that he matured in Brazil and found out just how to fly there. His last well-known home address is in Miami, Florida.
The plane, worth $150,000, “was not seriously damaged,” district attorneys created. Several individuals were on the beach when the plane boiled down, and no person was hurt. Aires jumped out of the plane prior to replacements snatched him on the beach.
“Been doing this almost 20 years, and this is a first for me,” said San Mateo County Sheriff’s Sgt. Javier Acosta.
Deputies looked Aires’ knapsack and located recognition for 3 other individuals. Prosecutors billed him with identification burglary and taking an aircraft. On Wednesday, Aires begged innocent to all costs.
“Sunrock” informed Judge Rebecca Woodson that he desired to represent himself in court without a lawyer. Woodson “questioned the defendant on his education and background and denied the motion to represent himself.”
The court collection Aires’ bond at $10,000, and he continued to be in protection since Wednesday early morning. An initial hearing is established for February 21 at 1:30 p.m. in the San Mateo County Hall of Justice.
