In a bizarre incident at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, a Florida woman was apprehended after allegedly infiltrating a U.S. Coast Guard facility, stealing a tricycle, and subsequently driving it onto an active taxiway. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office took her into custody following the incident last week.

Reports indicate the woman scaled the perimeter fence of U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, commandeered a tricycle, and proceeded past multiple no trespassing signs near Terminal A. Airport personnel monitoring surveillance footage observed her actions and alerted authorities. According to a Coast Guard representative, the woman initially attempted to access a Coast Guard aircraft before her tricycle escapade.

After abandoning the tricycle, the woman reportedly attempted to board an Allegiant Airline flight destined for Argentina. However, airline staff intervened and prevented her from boarding.

An Allegiant Airbus A319 at an airport. (Robert Smith/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The woman, whose name has not been released, is now facing felony charges for trespassing onto a secure airport area and grand theft. A Coast Guard spokesperson clarified that the facility utilizes tricycles, golf carts, and Bobcats for transporting equipment and tools within the base.

Clearwater is recognized as the Coast Guard's largest and most active air station globally. It shares the 2,000-acre St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, which originally served as a military flight training facility.

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter landing. (U.S. Navy)

An airport spokesperson confirmed that the incident is under investigation by the TSA, emphasizing the airport's commitment to maintaining stringent safety protocols.