Police: Man Stole Plane to Impress Girlfriend

Tools

Police: Man Stole Plane to Impress Girlfriend

By Beth Boehne

LaPORTE, Ind. (AP) — A man accused of stealing a twin-engine plane and driving it down the taxiway staged the stunt while he was drunk to impress his girlfriend, police said.

Michael Santos, 38, was charged Friday with theft, criminal mischief and operating a vehicle after his driving privileges had previously been forfeited for life.

Santos, who is being held in the LaPorte County Jail on $2,000 bond, is accused of driving to the LaPorte Municipal Airport despite a lifetime ban on his driving privileges.

According to police reports, Santos was drunk when he took his girlfriend to the airport Sept. 9 to show her that he could fly a plane. They climbed into the plane and were heading down the taxiway when, Santos told police, flames began shooting from the left engine.

He said he turned off all the switches and veered into a soybean field.

Damage to the aircraft was estimated at $160,000.

Police said the plane traveled a half mile along a taxiway before it missed the curve leading to the runway, chopping up soybeans with the propeller before getting stuck in the field.

LaPorte Police Detective Tom Thate said an anonymous tip from someone who overheard a man claiming he tried taking a plane for a ride led police to Santos.

Sunday, Dec 2 at 7:27 PM marie wrote ...

WELL I THINK THE COUPLE WHO GOT ON THE PLANE WERE FOOLISH BUT YOUNG.HOPEFULLY THIS WILL WILL TEACH THEM BOTH AN IMPORTANT LESSON.

Sunday, Dec 2 at 7:22 AM Shiron wrote ...

Have you any news on the condition of the injured soybeans?

Saturday, Dec 1 at 8:03 PM This is not love wrote ...

How stupid can the girlfriend be. First he's drunk then she gets into the plane with him not knowing if he can really fly the plan. I hope she dumped him. You have no future with this man....

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

WSBT and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, or remove user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum. Items that may be considered inappropriate to post are those containing profanity, hatred, or insensitive, vulgar, unlawful or threatening comments.

WSBT Weather

icon
Current Temp 12
°
More Weather
More On Demand

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Tonight On WSBTFull Schedule

7.00
Wheel of Fortune
7.30
Jeopardy!
8.00
Ghost Whisperer
9.00
Flashpoint
10.00
Numb3rs
11.00
WSBT News
11.35
Late Show with David Letterman

Question of The Day

How often do you check your smoke detectors?

E-mail your comments. We'll pick some to read during WSBT News at 5.