The 21-year-old man accused of stealing a plane and taking it on a drunken joyride to Westchester County Airport pleaded not guilty at his indictment Thursday.
Police say Philippe Patricio, of Connecticut, took the small plane from a Danbury airport in June with two teenagers in tow and landed it three hours later in Westchester. Patricio has been charged with criminal possession of stolen property, reckless endangerment, unauthorized use of a vehicle, resisting arrested and flying an aircraft while intoxicated.
The incident sparked a call for increased security at smaller airports. Patricio is due back in court on October 12 for a bond hearing. Until then, he remains behind bars.