x
Breaking News
More () »

Update: Man accused of driving into restricted area at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport faces federal arrest

Cleveland Hopkins Airport officials said the vehicle had driven 'through an airfield gate,' briefly stopping operations at CLE.

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — A 26-year-old man was expected to make his first court appearance Monday morning after he allegedly drove into a restricted area at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on Thanksgiving Eve, resulting in a brief shutdown of airport operations.

According to the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio, the suspect -- identified as Isaac Woolley -- faces the following federal charges:

  • Entering aircraft or airport area in violation of security requirements
  • Carjacking
  • Destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities

Woolley, of Brunswick, has been in custody since his arrest for grand theft motor vehicle and attempted felonious assault, according to the Fairview Park Police Department.

The situation started around 8:15 p.m. as Fairview Park police say they received calls that a resident’s vehicle had been stolen in the 21500 block of Brookpark Road.

Credit: Fairview Park Police Department
Isaac Woolley mugshot.

SUBSCRIBE: Get the day's top headlines sent to your inbox each weekday morning with the free 3News to GO! newsletter

“When officers arrived, they learned the car owner had been driving around the parking lot looking for a lost pet,” police noted. “She got out of her vehicle and left it running.”

That’s when Woolley allegedly jumped in the vehicle and drove away. The woman sustained minor injuries after she was knocked to the ground, according to police.

The vehicle was later found by Cleveland police in a restricted area at the airport. Woolley was arrested and taken into the custody of the Fairview Park Police Department.

Cleveland Hopkins Airport officials said the vehicle had driven “through an airfield gate,” putting their operations on a brief hold “to maintain the highest level of safety and security.” Airport operations resumed after about 30 minutes.

The situation remains under investigation.

Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in a previous story on Nov. 23, 2022.    

Before You Leave, Check This Out