New Jersey

Pilot Accused of Stealing Plane for Joyride Turns Himself in

The company’s president — who is also Dahlen’s stepmother — tells The Press of Atlantic City that the 50-year-old Cape May man stole the plane sometime Sunday night, though it’s not clear why.

A pilot accused of stealing a plane owned by Paramount Air Service turned himself in to the Cape May Police.

Jimmy Dahlen Jr. contacted the Cape May County Prosecutors office Wednesday morning and made arrangements to turn himself in, officials said. He was arrested later that morning at the prosecutor's office and taken to the Cape May City Police Department where he was charged with criminal tresspassing. 

Jimmy Dahlen Jr. is accused of landing this banner plane on a restricted Coast Guard beach in Cape May, New Jersey after going for a joyride. See Larger

The 51-year-old Dahlen is accused of stealing a Piper PA12 from the banner plane company, Paramount Air Services, where he works as a mechanic. The company’s president — who is also Dahlen’s stepmother — tells The Press of Atlantic City that the 50-year-old Cape May man stole the plane sometime Sunday night, though it’s not clear why.

The plane had landed on the beach of the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May around 8 p.m. Sunday. But authorities say Dahlen — who is a student pilot — fled the scene.

The plane wasn’t damaged.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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