An 18-year-old man accused of attempting to steal an American Eagle plane from the Texarkana Regional Airport on July 4th is facing charges of commercial burglary and attempted theft of property.
Zemarcuis Devon Scott allegedly told Texarkana, Ark., police that he planned to fly the twin engine jet to a rap music concert in Chicago. According to a probable cause affidavit, security staff at the airport called police after seeing a man on surveillance video jump a fence and attempt to enter a plane at approximately 2:30 a.m. on July 4. When officers arrived, the suspect had gained entry to the plane and closed the door behind him.
When officers shined flashlights into the plane’s cockpit, they could see the suspect sitting in the pilot’s chair but could not see his hands. An officer drew his weapon and ordered the suspect to raise his hands. When the suspect turned his face, two of the responding officers recognized the man as Scott. Scott was taken into custody and transported to the Miller County jail.
Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chuck Black on Monday filed formal charges of commercial burglary and attempted theft of property. Both are punishable by three to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Scott is being held in the Miller County jail with bail set at $25,000. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Carlton Jones.
