Crime & Safety
Sun Country Pilot From Minnetonka Arrested At Florida Airport
Police said the pilot's valid Minnesota permit to carry is not recognized in Floridia.
LEE COUNTY, FL — A Sun Country pilot from Minnetonka was arrested at a Florida airport Friday after a loaded gun was reportedly found in his suitcase. Brian Machtemes provided a valid permit to carry issued in Minnesota, but Florida does not recognize Minnesota permits, police said.
A TSA supervisory found a .380-caliber pistol with six rounds in Machtemes' suitcase, the Star Tribune reported.
Sun Country's flight from Fort Myers to Minneapolis had to be delayed after the pilot was jailed.
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The airline provided the following statement to KSTP regarding the incident:
"We're aware of the situation involving one of our pilots at the Fort Myers Airport and are in contact with local law enforcement. We are in the process of gathering information on what occurred. Right now, our focus is on taking care of our passengers. This evening's flight from RSW to MSP has been rescheduled to depart tomorrow at 12:10 p.m. We have provided hotels for tonight, as well as meal vouchers and a $200 flight voucher as a token of our apologies for the inconvenience this has caused."
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