Passengers allowed back into terminal after Newark Airport lockdown

NEWARK (WABC) -- Passengers were allowed back into Newark Airport around 9 p.m. after a man entered a secure hallway through an exit door.

Authorities say a man set off an alarm inside Terminal C around 7:00 Sunday evening when he entered a secure area in the C3 hallway and was quickly apprehended by customs agents. The incident forced a shutdown of the entire terminal.

"They said nobody's going through, and we waited there about 15 minutes and they said 'everyone leave, everybody's gotta go outside'," said passenger Geoff Ostrega.

Many passengers watched as the intruder was escorted out of the terminal by police.

"As he was being marched out of the terminal, he had a big silly grin. He was kind of laughing to himself as the officers walked him out," said Tony Ficarra.

Authorities were checking the entire area for possible breaches. Passengers were allowed back into the terminal and found themselves waiting at the foot of the escalator unable to get to the security checkpoint.

"He didn't really know where we were supposed to be headed, what gates were open, what terminals were open," said Gillian Erlenbron.

Officers stood guard making sure the building was safe before allowing frustrated passengers to make their way to their flights.