Airbase intruder had teddy bear strapped to him

AN INTRUDER who was shot at after storming a US Air Force base in Suffolk had a teddy bear strapped to his body, it emerged yesterday.

US military personnel fired shots after the man rammed his vehicle through the gates of RAF Mildenhall on Monday and on to the base.

Sources said the 44-year-old had a teddy bear strapped to his stomach.

The suspect became involved in an ‘altercation’ with guards at the main checkpoint at the base after he pretended he was a member of the US Secret Service.

US military personnel opened fire when he ignored guards and drove on to the base.

There was a ‘short pursuit’ and the vehicle was stopped by US police near to a V22 Osprey ‘heli-plane’.

The incident has not been treated as terrorism and the man, who suffered cuts and bruises, was arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass and criminal damage. Suffolk Police said he had been detained under the Mental Health Act.