Man arrested in stolen airplane now charged with sex crime

Associated Press

Published Tuesday, May 5, 2015 | 10:39 a.m.

Updated Tuesday, May 5, 2015 | 12:55 p.m.

Authorities said Tuesday that a man who stole a small airplane near Las Vegas over the weekend was a novice pilot who wanted to go on one last joyride before facing accusations that he had committed a sex crime against a friend's child.

Police were called to North Las Vegas Airport early Saturday after receiving a report that 27-year-old Evan Scott Grant had made an unauthorized takeoff around midnight.

Grant, a former student pilot, remained in communication with people on the ground as air traffic controllers at McCarran International Airport monitored the rogue flight.

Las Vegas TV news station KLAS reported that Grant said over the radio transmission that he was trying to enjoy his last flight and that he apologized for taking the plane and for an incident with a child a day earlier.

Henderson police said sex crimes were reported Friday evening against Grant.

Police said he was eventually talked into landing the twin-engine plane at the airport after a flight that lasted about an hour.

Grant was booked into North Las Vegas jail for one felony count of grand larceny auto. He was later released on bond.

He was arrested Tuesday on two felony counts of lewdness with a child. Bond is set at $20,000.

The Associated Press sought comment on the charges from Grant but could not verify whether he had a listed telephone number or an attorney who could speak on his behalf.