CASTAIC, Calif., Aug. 11 (UPI) — Authorities in California said a man in a motorized paraglider prompted a slow-speed aerial chase by flying over a prison.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office said a helicopter unit was dispatched when Ron Nagin, 67, flew his motorized paraglider near the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic about 5:30 p.m. Monday.
Deputies said officials were concerned the man may have dropped contraband into the prison yard.
“We have several open compounds, so there was concern that somebody might be dropping contraband or there could be some crazy escape attempt. It was really hard to say,” Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Allen told KABC-TV.
A slow-speed aerial chase ensued until Nagin landed at Tapia Canyon Paintball Center about 6:05 p.m.
Nagin told deputies he had been carried toward the prison by the wind and he did not immediately respond to the helicopter crew’s instructions to land because his loud motor drowned out the sound of the chopper’s PA system and sirens.
“At first I thought they were just looky-loos, just trying to investigate the sport, but I figured when they cut in front of me twice, I’d better turn around and land,” Nagin said.
The sheriff’s department said Nagin was released without a citation.
“Deputies watched and did not see the pilot drop anything from the motorized hangglider,” the department said in a statement.
