The Bethel man who drunkenly took a joyride in a plane stolen from the Danbury airport drew national attention in 2005.
Contributed photo of Philippe Patricio in 2006, who was accused of stealing an airplane at Danbury airport and landing at Westchester airport.
Nearly a decade later, Philippe Patricio has popped up on the local radar once again.
This time Patricio, 30, is accused of driving under the influence after Danbury police said his vehicle was seen swerving in front of an officer early Monday morning on Newtown Road.
Patricio has been charged with DUI, reckless driving, criminal impersonation and interfering with officers. He is being held at the Danbury Police Department on $16,000 bond and is awaiting arraignment.
Police said Patricio did not have a driver’s license and gave a false name when he was pulled over. They did not realize it was Patricio until he was fingerprinted.
Patricio served nine months in a New York jail after he was found guilty in 2006 of stealing a single-engine Cessna from Danbury Municipal Airport and, with two 16-year-old friends on board, drunkenly flew the plane for three hours before landing at Westchester County Airport.
Six years later, Patricio surfaced again when he was charged in 2011 with driving under the influence, reckless driving and avoiding arrest in New Canaan.
He was also charged in New Canaan with failure to appear after not showing up for his court date, police said. Danbury police said these warrants remained outstanding when Patricio was arrested on Monday.