A United Airlines flight bound for New Jersey abruptly returned to Las Vegas after a crew member spotted messages on a passenger’s phone that appeared to reference hijacking the aircraft. The alarming episode unfolded shortly after takeoff Saturday, as reported by The New York Post.

United Flight 1681 was traveling from Harry Reid International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport on Oct. 24. The plane was carrying 150 passengers and six crew members when the apparent threat was discovered.

A flight attendant noticed a traveler sending messages that referred to taking control of the plane. Rather than confronting the passenger directly, the crew member quickly informed the pilot about what had been seen.

The pilot then took precautions aboard the aircraft and began the process of returning to Las Vegas. The flight had departed Harry Reid International Airport only a short time before the decision was made to turn around.

“The flight attendant saw him texting that he was going to hijack the aircraft. They called me. We went into lockdown, and we returned to Vegas,” the flight’s pilot told an air traffic controller, according to CBS News.

That message laid out the seriousness of the crew’s concern and the steps taken in response. The pilot’s account also made clear that the passenger apparently did not know the flight attendant had seen the messages.

The air traffic controller asked whether the traveler was cooperative or had been restrained. The pilot replied that the passenger showed “no restraint” because “he’s unaware.”

The aircraft returned safely to Harry Reid International Airport at approximately 11:05 p.m. local time. The Federal Aviation Administration described the incident as a passenger disturbance reported by the flight crew.

“United Airlines Flight 1681 returned safely to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas around 11:05 p.m. local time on Saturday, Oct. 24, after the crew reported a passenger disturbance,” the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.

After the plane landed in Las Vegas, the passengers were removed from the flight. Authorities said the travelers and the aircraft then underwent a comprehensive inspection following the apparent hijacking threat.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to the airport after the aircraft’s return. Officers arrested Dante Milne, 25, in connection with the messages that had prompted the crew to reverse course.

Milne was arrested on suspicion of making threats or conveying false information concerning acts of terrorism, according to PEOPLE. The report identified him as the passenger accused following the flight’s emergency return.

The arrest came after the crew’s decision not to confront the passenger while the aircraft was still traveling toward New Jersey. Instead, the flight attendant notified the pilot, and the pilot communicated the situation to air traffic control.

The flight’s return also meant that the 150 passengers did not continue to Newark aboard the original trip. Their journey was delayed while authorities responded at Harry Reid International Airport and conducted the inspections.

United Airlines placed the affected passengers on an alternative flight. That replacement flight departed Harry Reid International Airport on Sunday morning, allowing the passengers to resume their trip after the previous night’s disruption.

The incident began with a crew member noticing messages on a traveler’s phone and ended with a safe landing, a police response, and an arrest. The passenger remained unaware of the crew’s actions as the pilot turned the aircraft back toward Las Vegas.

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