Residents in Tupelo, Mississippi were alerted Saturday morning about a pilot who threatened to crash into a local Walmart. The Tupelo Police Department released a statement on Sept. 3, saying the pilot had alerted emergency responders about their intentions.

Police said the pilot is possibly operating a small King Air type aircraft, flying over the northeast region of Mississippi.

“The pilot has made contact with E911 and is threatening to intentionally crash into Walmart on West Main,” police said.

According to the Associated Press, the plane started circling over Tupelo around 5 a.m. and it was still in the air about four hours later. Police also said the plane later flew away from Tupelo and started circling over another community nearby.

Authorities believe the aircraft was stolen. Sources speaking to the Associated Press said officials are trying to determine whether the pilot is an employee of a local airport.

Police say they have been speaking with the aviator directly, and officials are working with the nearby Walmart and Dodge’s convenience store to “disperse people as much as much as practical.”

Cory Paterson, 29, has been identified as the student pilot who allegedly took the plane from the Tupelo Airport. He reportedly posted a chilling ‘goodbye’ message to his Facebook page while still in the air.

“Sorry everyone, Never actually wanted to hurt anyone,” he wrote. “I love my parents and sister this isn’t your fault. Goodbye.”

In an ordeal that lasted roughly five hours, the plane is said to have crash-landed in a field near Gravestown. There is very little damage to the aircraft itself, and according to Daily Mail, Paterson was taken into custody by Benton County Sheriff’s Department.