Initially Told Authorities He Was The Owner Of The Aircraft

A thief in Ocala, FL tried to get away with a $2.5 million Pilatus PC-12 last Thursday, but didn't have a lot of luck. He was apprehended in the hangar after doing about $300 in damage to the airplane.

The would-be thief, who is now behind bars, is 23-year-old Pablo Ceron. He told police he "needed to get to Chicago" and that he owned the airplane, but gave a false name and offered no ID to authorities. But the police said that he had no claim to the aircraft and no connection with the company that owns it.

Television station WOGX reports that Ceron had managed to get the wheel chocks, propeller ties, and pitot covers removed from the plane. The oxygen masks had also been pulled down from their compartments. Police said it appeared he was trying to start the engine when they arrived.

Ceron would initially not speak to the officers, who arrested him on two counts of burglary, attempted grand theft, criminal mischief, and giving a false name to law enforcement. And to make his day even worse, because Ocala is an international airport, they called federal authorities as well.

Ceron was booked into the Marion County, FL jail in lieu of $51,000 bond.

(Ocala police booking photo)

FMI: www.ocalapd.com