Authorities in California said they rushed the cockpit of a plane during the weekend to arrest a co-pilot on child sexual assault charges.
The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department on Monday identified the suspect as 34-year-old Rustom Bhagwagar, of Florida.
In a news release posted on social media, the department said they learned Bhagwagar was scheduled to fly into San Francisco International Airport from Minneapolis on Saturday night.
At about 9:35 PM, Sheriff’s Office detectives, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, boarded the plane to arrest the suspect,” according to the post, adding that they opened an investigation into Bhagwagar in April after they received a report about sex crimes against a child.
A passenger told View from the Wing that 10 officers, including Homeland Security investigators, “stormed to the front” of a Delta Air Lines plane as soon as it arrived and “grabbed/arrested” the man.
The remaining pilot suggested to those who asked that ‘he had no idea what just happened,'” according to the media outlet.
The department said Bhagwagar was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on five counts of “oral copulation with a child under 10 years of age.”
Bhagwagar is being held on $5 million bail, authorities said.
In an emailed statement, Delta said it would cooperate with law enforcement, adding that the pilot has been suspended, pending an investigation.
Delta has zero tolerance for unlawful conduct and will fully cooperate with law enforcement, ” the company said.
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing. They urged anyone who has information in connection to the case to contact the Investigation Division at 925-313-2600, tips@so.cccounty.us, or by calling 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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