Alleged plane thief pleads not guilty

The man accused of stealing a plane from Palo Alto Airport late last week pleaded not guilty to a felony and three misdemeanor charges during a hearing Tuesday, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.

Luiz Gustavo Aires, 50, of Florida but living as a transient in San Mateo County, is suspected of stealing a small plane from the airport on Feb. 8 and landing it south of Poplar Beach in Half Moon Bay around 5 p.m. Deputies located the plane intact and unoccupied. Shortly after, Aires, who matched the pilot’s description, was seen nearby and taken into custody, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Aires asked to represent himself, although the judge didn’t grant the motion. Instead, he will be represented by the private defender program.

Aires is charged with a felony for stealing the plane and three misdemeanors of identity theft after deputies allegedly found credit cards and insurance cards on him that belong to three individuals. He faces three years in state prison, according to the DA’s Office.

San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said he doesn’t recall the last time a plane was stolen in the county.

While Wagstaffe is unsure if the plane remains operable, he said it is valued at $150,000, and the keys were left inside. 

He added that Aires allegedly told police that he has an expired pilot’s license in Brazil but is not permitted to fly in the state.

“He must know what he is doing to navigate over the ridge,” Wagstaffe said.

Aires remains in custody on $10,000 bail. He returns to court on Feb. 21 for superior court review.