Plane Was Stolen, Recovered in La Verne Days Before Being Stolen Again

A uniquely painted 1958 Cessna Skyhawk, which had already been reported stolen once this summer, was recovered on the night of August 3 after being taken from Brackett Field in La Verne, California.

The plane, owned by 75-year-old Jason Hong of Yorba Linda, was first stolen from Corona Municipal Airport sometime between May and late July. Hong said he discovered the aircraft missing during a routine visit on July 27 and reported it to local authorities the next day. Two days later, the plane was located at Brackett Field, where Hong retrieved it and removed the battery to prevent further unauthorized flights.

That precaution didn’t stop someone from taking the plane again. On August 3, when Hong returned to continue working on the aircraft, it was gone… this time with a fresh battery installed.

Later that evening, around 10:30 pm, a security guard at San Gabriel Valley Airport in El Monte spotted the aircraft parked outside a hangar. Officers from the El Monte Police responded and confirmed the plane was the same Skyhawk reported stolen. No one was found in or around the aircraft, and police filed another stolen vehicle report.

Hong’s Cessna, marked with the tail number N4182F, is easy to identify. Its red fuselage and bright stripes in purple, yellow, and orange make it hard to overlook on any ramp. Hong has owned the plane since the 1990s and said its colors were chosen by the previous owner.

Flight data shows the plane flew at least twice before it was recovered the first time, with recorded flights near La Verne, Palm Springs, and Riverside between July 25 and 26. It's still unclear who was flying.

When Hong inspected the plane after its latest recovery, he found some personal items left behind — a key, glasses, a jacket, pepper, and cleaning solution. He was also told by airport personnel that a woman had been seen entering and staying in the aircraft several times. Witnesses described her as a woman in her 40s, about 5’3”, who claimed to be from Chino and told others she owned the plane.

Police are continuing the investigation. For now, the plane is back in Hong’s hands, but with two thefts in under ten days, he may be rethinking where he parks it next.

FMI: www.ci.el-monte.ca.us