New Jersey Man Charged In Theft

The Sea Coast Echo reports a Delaware resident has been charged with two counts of stolen property in connection with an airplane recovered at the Stennis International Airport in Hancock County (MS). Kyle P. Louitsky, 36, New Castle, Delaware, was arrested on March 17, at the Stennis Airport and charged with two counts of possession of stolen property.

George County Sheriff officials claim Louitsky reportedly had engine problems and landed the 1991 Buccaneer Amphibian at the Hancock County Airport on March 13. Police reports indicate the engine was taken to George County to have repairs made on it. After a tip and alter becoming suspicious of Louitsky's actions, George County Sheriff’s Department ran the engine number on the NCIC national law enforcement database, which indicated the powerplant was reported stolen from New Jersey.

"I received a tip on the stolen craft (from the New Jersey State Police) and went to Stennis and found the plane without an engine near a hangar," said George county Investigator Matt Barnett.

The value of the airplane was placed at $15,500 and engine at $14,000, Barnett reported.

FMI: www.rootsweb.com/~msgeorge