- The FBI arrested a man on charges including carjacking, saying he crashed into Cleveland's airport.
- The crash disabled the air control tower's power and grounded flights the day before Thanksgiving.
A Cleveland man accused of stealing a woman's car and crashing it into Cleveland Hopkins International Airport's air control tower last week said the whole ordeal was a practical joke.
According to an FBI affidavit, Benjamin Woolley was arrested on several charges including carjacking, destroying an aircraft facility, and entering restricted airport territory. In the document, authorities said that on the day before Thanksgiving, Woolley's alleged crash disabled the air control tower's power and grounded numerous flights — and that he later laughed it off.
Before he reached the airport, the FBI claimed that Woolley went into an apartment complex parking lot and stole a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan which was left on and running.
A witness described in the affidavit as CW1 "then observed a male on foot walking quickly toward his/her vehicle. The male jumped into CW1's vehicle and attempted to drive off," the affidavit said. "CW1 jumped into the front passenger window in an attempt to stop the vehicle theft. CW1 stated the male accelerated the vehicle causing him/her to be thrown from the vehicle and onto the pavement."
The car's owner told authorities they had left their car on as they were searching for a pet, and when attempting to stop the car theft, they were dragged for about 150 feet, according to the affidavit. Then, Woolley took off to the airport, crashing through an entrance and into an air control tower, the FBI alleged.
Several flights were grounded until the tower's backup power generator was activated, the affidavit added. The car was found damaged and crashed through another fence, and Wooley was taken into custody. Authorities claimed in the affidavit that in body camera footage, Woolley made light of the situation.
"After being advised of his Miranda Rights, Woolley stated he was a 'veteran from overseas' and 'wanted to make a statement for those who do not have a voice in society,' before chuckling to himself," authorities wrote. "When asked if he thought the situation was funny, Woolley stated he thought some people would think so. He then stated he wanted his children to have a good Thanksgiving and needed the vehicle to do so."
Woolley's end goal was to fly to Athens, Alabama to see family, according to the affidavit.