California Authorities Say Overflights Violated Restraining Order

Police in Concord, California, northeast of San Francisco, are investigating an incident that led to the arrest of 51-year-old pilot Tom Huey for allegedly stalking his ex-girlfriend with an airplane.

Police said in a statement that earlier this month, leaflets appeared in a residential neighborhood, possibly dropped from a low-flying airplane, that "referenced a specific person and contained defamatory language and racial slurs. As the investigation has progressed, it appears that the motivation behind this situation is a failed domestic relationship."

Multiple media sources, including CNN and The Associated Press, report that Huey's former girlfriend had taken out a restraining order against him in April, 2008, but Huey had managed to avoid being served until Wednesday. People living in the girlfriend's neighborhood said an airplane very much like Huey's 1957 Beech Bonanza made 8 low passes over the area Wednesday evening. Police were waiting for Huey when he landed, and he was arrested on suspicion of stalking and violating the restraining order.

Huey was jailed, and Concord police say the investigation is ongoing. FAA spokesman Mike Fergus told CNN the agency is not involved at this time. "Our interest is in air safety," he said.

FMI: www.cityofconcord.org/police/index.htm