Woman Charged With Trespassing On Small Airport's Runways

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- Frederick police have charged a woman with trespassing after she allegedly walked onto the runways at Frederick Municipal Airport.

Thirty-seven-year-old Laurie Beth Katz of Jefferson was arrested at about 5 a.m. Sunday. Defense attorney Stephen A. LeRoux declined to comment on the case Monday.

Airport Manager Rick Johnson says Katz wandered onto a runway. He says an incoming plane had to slide over to the side of the runway to avoid hitting her.

The airport serves private and general aviation aircraft.

Online court records show that Katz was placed on probation for 18 months in November after agreeing to a statement of facts on an attempted theft charge in Carroll County. She is awaiting trial on theft charges in Frederick County. All those charges involved theft of less than $100.