Christopher Cannella arrested as he 'breached JFK during Pope Francis visit'

Publish date: 2024-04-19

An ex-firefighter was arrested after he allegedly breached security at New York's JFK airport, armed with 'cop-killer' bullets and a hunting knife, by driving onto the tarmac in a bid to meet Pope Francis and 'change the world'. 

Christopher Cannella, 39, from North Babylon, Long Island, was detained after he managed to get to the spot where the pontiff's plane had been parked on Saturday. 

However the father-of-two, who was also said to have been carrying drugs, was too late as Argentinian-born Francis had already taken off for Philadelphia.

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Behind bars: Christopher Cannella, 39, from North Babylon, Long Island, was arrested after he allegedly breached security at New York's JFK airport, supposedly armed with dangerous weapons, in a bid to confront Pope Francis 

The father-of-two is believed to have driven onto the tarmac after passing a check point because he wanted to meet the Argentinian-born pontiff and 'change the world' 

The father-of-two is believed to have driven onto the tarmac after passing a check point because he wanted to meet the Argentinian-born pontiff and 'change the world' 

According to the New York Daily News, he managed to get within 20 yards of Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, who took off hours after the head of the Catholic church.

Cannella supposedly followed the motorcade back out of the airport and headed to the Van Wyck Expressway where he spotted another convoy.

This line of vehicles was carrying Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, and was reportedly heading to the airport.

Therefore Canella turned around and caught up to it, sources told the Daily News. 

However he came up short, as a Port Authority police officer activated a barrier to prevent him from getting back out of the tarmac.

According to a police complaint, Canella was supposedly able to get past security because he  'flashed something silver like a police badge' at one of the check points. 

He reportedly told investigators that a Secret Service agent had allowed him to pass onto the tarmac.

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Share 27 shares Canella reprortedly managed to get within 20 yards of Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, who took off hours after the head of the Catholic church

Canella reprortedly managed to get within 20 yards of Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, who took off hours after the head of the Catholic church

Reports suggest he even took a cell-phone video the first time he made it onto the take-off and landing area.  

The Daily News reported that Canella was arraigned Monday at Queens Criminal Court on charges of criminal impersonation, criminal mischief, unauthorized possession of ammunition, criminal trespass and pot possession.

It was not immediately clear whether Cannella entered a plea, but his bail was set bail at $500,000 and he was given an October 13 court date.

Daily Mail Online has contacted The Secret Service for comment. 

 

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