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The man accused of stealing a plane from Palo Alto Airport and landing it on a beach in Half Moon Bay is under evaluation for his ability to stand in court, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.
Luiz Gustavo Aires, 50, of Florida but living as a transient in San Mateo County, asked to represent himself but was denied, according to the DA’s Office. However, Judge Sean P. Dabel granted a motion to evaluate his mental health on Feb. 21.
Aires is suspected of stealing a small plane from the airport on Feb. 8 and landing it south of Poplar Beach in Half Moon Bay around 5 p.m. Deputies located the American Champion plane intact unoccupied, which was later determined to not be seriously damaged. Shortly after, Aires, who matched the pilot’s description, was seen nearby and taken into custody, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the DA’s Office, Aries walked onto the tarmac in Palo Alto, started the plane without a key and took off from the airport flying it over the coastal range. Aries told police he grew up in Brazil and learned to fly there. He said his motivation was to show the government the airports lack proper security. Aires is charged with a felony for stealing the plane and three misdemeanors of identity theft after deputies allegedly found credit cards and insurance cards on him that belong to three individuals. He faces three years in state prison, according to the DA’s Office.
The standard for competency to represent oneself in court is based on whether a defendant presents the ability to consult with their lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding, and if the individual has a rational understanding of the proceedings against them, according to Cornell Law School’s website.
The court suspended criminal proceedings and continued the case to Feb. 26 for an appointment of a doctor to examine Aires’ competency and to set further competency proceedings. Aires remains in custody on $10,000 bail.
