Attempted Plane Theft At Martin State Airport Draws Suspect’s Competency Exam: Report

MIDDLE RIVER, MD — The suspect accused of trying to steal a $3.1 million private jet used by The Baltimore Sun's co-owner will undergo a competency evaluation, a report said.

The Sun reported that a Baltimore County judge on Sept. 4 ruled that 43-year-old Joseph Goldman will undergo the evaluation at the request of his public defender and the prosecutor. The exam will determine if the Baltimore resident "is mentally fit to stand trial," The Sun said.

The Sun said the plane is used by David Smith, who's also the executive chairman of Hunt Valley-based Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair owns Baltimore's FOX45, and Smith is the new co-owner of the Baltimore Sun.

The Maryland State Police said they were called for an attempted plane theft at Martin State Airport in Middle River on Aug. 30 around 5:10 p.m.

Troopers said Goldman "illegally drove past security onto airport grounds." Conversely, Goldman alleged in court on Sept. 3 that security had let him into the airport, The Sun reported.

Authorities said Goldman left his GMC Terrain SUV and entered an empty Gulfstream G4 plane.

A pilot preparing for a scheduled flight found the suspect and alerted security, police said.

Pilot T.J. Turbin told FOX45 he found the suspect sitting in the captain's seat.

"I looked up and there was someone sitting in the left seat with the headset on, so I’m like this is interesting... It was a complete surprise, like, okay something is wrong, what’s wrong, let’s figure out what’s wrong," Turbin told FOX45. "I have never seen this in my whole career in aviation. I have never seen anything like that."

Troopers said they arrested Goldman and took him to the Golden Ring Barrack.

A K-9 unit conducted a vehicle scan, authorities said.

Nobody was hurt, and investigators do not have any updates.

Online court records show that Goldman faces five charges:

• "Theft: $100,000 plus" (Felony)
• "Motor veh/unlawful taking" (Felony)
• "Trespass: private property" (Misdemeanor)
• "Trespass-posted property" (Misdemeanor)
• "May not enter restr air area" (Other)

The Sun said the felony charges have a maximum combined prison sentence of 25 years.

The trial is scheduled for Oct. 16.

Goldman is currently being held without bond, court records say.

This map shows the location of Martin State Airport.