Worcester Airport Security Breach: Man Steals Truck, PD Says

WORCESTER, MA — State police are investigating a security breach at the Worcester Airport airfield. On Wednesday night, a man got onto the airfield and drove a fuel truck around the area where the planes taxi, according to state police. Troopers found the man in an empty fuselage with black tar on his face and determined he was mentally ill.

The incident happened at 6:24 p.m. on Wednesday and the man has not been identified due to his mental health issues, according to state police. The 34-year-old Leominster man was charged with trespassing, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, breaking and entering and malicious destruction of property.

"Investigation indicates that the man posed no threat of terrorism," state police said.

When troopers initially found the man in the fuselage, which is usually used for firefighter training, it was unclear what the black substance on his face was and the man was "speaking incoherently," according to state police. After police found his car parked near an airport building they also found a spilled bucket of tar, which police believe is the substance the man smeared on his face.

EMTs from UMass Medical Center examined the man and determined that he was not a threat to harm himself or others but recommended he have a mental health examination.

The incident did not impact airport operations according to Massport.