Authorities in Oakland were searching for a suspect near Oakland International Airport Sunday after he led a vehicle pursuit, rammed a gate to the airport tarmac and fled on foot, according to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office.
There was no threat to air traffic, but sheriff's officials said the suspect may have jumped into the water surrounding the airport and drowned.
The pursuit began around noon when an Alameda County sheriff's deputy tried to pull over the vehicle for running a stop sign, sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly said. The pickup proceeded down an airport access road and rammed a gate at more than 50 mph, officials said.
He then exited the truck and ran toward the bay, sheriff's officials said, apparently jumping into the water. The search included boats, helicopters, dogs and drones, the sheriff's office said.
Deputies also searched the man's truck and found a number of suspicious items.
"We noticed what appeared to be assault weapons in the truck," Kelly said. "Upon further examination of those, it turns out they were airsoft rifles, they were replica looking firearms. There were some masks and hoods and camouflage-type equipment. That obviously is cause for concern."
Oakland police and California Highway Patrol officers were helping with the search, sheriff's officials said. The FBI also responded to aid the investigation.
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The airport moved all air traffic to the north field as a precaution, airport officials said.
No further details were immediately available.
