Man charged after incident at Campbell Airport

GRAYSLAKE – A Zion man was charged with criminal trespass at a Lake County airport, authorities said.

About 11:55 a.m. Aug. 20, Lake County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Campbell Airport near Grayslake for a report of a Toyota racing back and forth on an active runway, according to a news release.

The driver of the Toyota, later identified as Erik Deanda-Gonzalez, 30, of the 3300 block of Holdridge Avenue, Zion, then parked his car and began entering hangars at the airport, according to the release.

Deputies arrived to find Deanda-Gonzalez inside of an aircraft parked near a taxiway. Employees at the airfield informed deputies that Deanda-Gonzalez did not own the aircraft, according to the release.

Deanda-Gonzalez exited the aircraft and spoke to sheriff’s deputies and they all walked back toward Deanda-Gonzalez’s Toyota. Sheriff’s deputies asked Deanda-Gonzalez questions about his actions at the airfield, when, without warning, Deanda-Gonzalez allegedly turned around, ran back toward the aircraft and tried to crawl back inside. Sheriff’s deputies pulled him out of the aircraft and took him into custody, according to the release.

Deanda-Gonzalez did not provide any explanation for his actions and was taken to the Lake County jail. Sheriff’s deputies found ammunition in Deanda-Gonzalez’s vehicle, but no firearm was found, police said.

Deanda-Gonzalez was charged with criminal trespass to an airport runway (Class 3 felony), criminal trespass to an airport (Class 4 felony), resisting a peace officer (Class A misdemeanor), unlawful possession of firearm ammunition without a FOID card (Class A misdemeanor) and criminal trespass to property (Class B misdemeanor).

On Aug. 21, Deanda-Gonzalez appeared in First Appearance Court and was released with conditions. He is due in court Sept. 3.

The FAA was notified of the incident.