VEHICLE STOP AT TERMINAL 3 LEADS TO ARREST OF SUSPECT, REQUIRES RESCREENING OF PASSENGERS IN TERMINAL AFTER SOME FLEE INTO STERILE SCREENING AREA
VEHICLE STOP AT TERMINAL 3 LEADS TO ARREST OF SUSPECT, REQUIRES RESCREENING OF PASSENGERS IN TERMINAL AFTER SOME FLEE INTO STERILE SCREENING AREA
(Los Angeles, California September 4, 2016) On Sunday, September 4, at approximately 9:01 a.m. Los Angeles Airport Police conducted a felony vehicle stop in front of Terminal 3 on the Lower/ Arrivals Level.
As a result of that stop, Larry McKenney, 35, of Humboldt, Texas, was arrested and charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of methamphetamines in a custodial setting. Four other people were questioned and released.
In an effort to control the scene and for the public's safety, officers moved foot traffic off the sidewalks and back into the baggage claim area of the terminal, causing some concerned people to pass into the sterile screening area, while approximately 15 others exited out of an emergency exit and onto the airfield, where they were quickly contained and moved back into the public area.
Because passengers had passed into secure areas of the terminal and airfield, it necessitated that the terminal be cleared, which is a specific Transportation Security Administration protocol. There was no formal evacuation.
A security check was conducted by officers and explosive-detection canines. Between 1,500 and 2,000 passengers were rescreened, according to the Los Angeles World Airports Airport Response Coordination Center. By 12:30 p.m. they had been rescreened and operations in the terminal were returning to normal.
A total of 18 flights (nine arriving and nine departing) at Terminal 3 were delayed as a result of the incident.
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