California military base locked down after vehicle runs through main gate

A California military base was placed on lockdown Friday night after a vehicle drove through the facility’s main entrance without stopping, a military spokesman said.

Naval Base Coronado spokesman Kevin Dixon told KNSD-TV that the driver was detained by base guards after the “gate runner” drove without stopping through the entrance to Naval Air Station North Island, which is part of Naval Base Coronado.

KNSD-TV reported that several patrol cars surrounded the entrance near 3rd Street and Alameda Boulevard in Coronado around 10:30 p.m.

Dixon said several gates at the air station near San Diego were closed while security officials checked the facility.

“The main gate of Naval Air Station North Island is currently closed due to a security incident. Please stay clear of the main gate until security is in place,” said a post on Naval Base Coronado’s Facebook page Saturday morning. Investigating.”

Later that morning, Read another Facebook post.“Gate 2 (Carrier Gate) is now open to inbound and outbound vehicular traffic. Outbound main gate at 4th Street is open to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Inbound main gate due to security activity remains closed.”

The Coronado Police Department was investigating the incident along with military police, KNSD-TV reported.

Naval Air Station North Island is one of eight US military installations that comprise Naval Base Coronado.

In February 2022, a motorist was found with bomb-making equipment at the same gate of the base. The base said at the time that the material was not deposited into a device and the driver was taken into custody for questioning.