Suspects in custody regarding an illegally discarded plane in Springfield

Update : The Springfield Police Department has charged Cordaro Jesus Hernandez, 29, and David Horton Brown, 68, in the dumping of a partial airplane on private property.

BAY COUNTY, Fla. ( WMBB ) – One suspect is in custody after a small airplane was discovered last week, discarded in a vacant lot in Springfield.

29-year-old Cordaro Hernandez is charged with illegally dumping over 500 pounds on private property. 68-year-old David Brown is still at large and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Both men are charged with illegally dumping over 500 pounds which is a felony.

According to Springfield police, officers initially found the front half of the single-engine aircraft off Transmitter Road on Friday.

Police said the plane was originally a prop at Zoo World that guests would take photos in. When Zoo World decided they no longer wanted the prop, Hernandez and another man, who authorities identified as David Brown, offered to remove and sell it for scrap.

But when they arrived at the scrap yard, they were told they couldn’t take it because the plane’s instrument panel was radioactive, according to police that’s when the two men dumped the plane.

Authorities said there was a disagreement between Hernadez and Brown over whose idea it was to dispose of the plane at that location. Hernadez had his first appearance before a judge Thursday and was given a pretrial release

“Illegal dumping not only affects the property owner who must clean up the property but also surrounding neighbors,” Chief Barry Roberts said. “We are grateful for the cooperation of the involved businesses for their help in identifying the suspects.”

If anyone has any additional information about this case, call Springfield Police at 850-724-2076 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 850-785-TIPS.

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