Pilot accused of stealing car near Sea-Tac Airport

SEATTLE — A King County sheriff’s spokeswoman said a 43-year-old pilot for an Oklahoma-based airline has been arrested. He is accused of stealing another man’s rental car.

Sgt. Cindi West said the Tulsa, Okla., man was arrested Saturday night for investigation of vehicle theft and DUI. She did not identify the man, saying the case has been forwarded to prosecutors. West said the Omni Air pilot had been scheduled to fly a plane to Tokyo on Sunday morning. The airline did not immediately return an email request for comment late Monday.

A 66-year-old Bainbridge man told SeaTac police that he got into his rental car at a hotel near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and a stranger climbed into the back seat. The victim pointed a gun at the stranger and told him to get out. West said after a scuffle and a chase around the car, the stranger managed to drive away in the vehicle.

Police found the suspect and the car at a nearby parking lot.

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