(USA): TSA officer among duo arrested for stealing from fliers' luggage at JFK
Friday, 17 Jul 2009
Source: USA Today
Date: 17/7/2009
Description: TSA officer among duo arrested for stealing from fliers' luggage at JFK
TSA officer among duo arrested for stealing from fliers' luggage at JFK
A TSA security officer and an airport baggage handler were arrested Tuesday on changes they stole goods from passengers' luggage at New York JFK. The men face charges of grand larceny and possession of stolen property. "Port Authority police, TSA investigators and other agencies assisted in a six-month investigation after authorities received complaints that passengers were missing items from their luggage. Among the items stolen were a laptop computer and a cellphone," The Associated Press writes.
The men stole the items from decoy luggage sent through their area at JFK, Port Authority police tell the Daily News of New York. The New York Post says "during an 'integrity test'(Monday) morning, investigators sent a luggage bag down a conveyor belt where the two men were working and watched as they lifted (a) laptop and iPod from the bag, and then ripped off the destination tag (to help make the crime harder to track) and sent it on its way."
New York's ABC 7 says officials set up the sting after Delta officials noticed that items had been reported missing from their customers’ bags over the past year. So, Delta notified the Transportation Security Administration, which set up the sting. TSA officials tell AP their accused officer is now on unpaid leave, pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.
"When air travelers check their luggage with an airline, there is an implicit trust that their bags and their contents will meet them at their destination," Queens District Attorney Richard Brown says to the Daily News. "The defendants are accused of betraying that trust." The men face up to four years in prison, if they’re convicted.
Comments:
donkeyot wrote: 2d 15h ago
im sure its happening in quite a few more places, cuz ive had stuff missing from my checked bags as well as one of my friends too.
Saavik wrote: 2d 17h ago
Losing items to theft is bad enough but consider that if they can remove stuff, they can also add stuff. Imagine if they tried to move drugs via unsuspecting travelers' luggage? Most of the time, I expect the shipments would get through. But imagine having your luggage searched and them finding drugs among your belongings? But we're supposed to trust the TSA?
I-think4myself wrote: 2d 20h ago
The government requires travels to use locks they have access to, therefore you have no control over your personal possessions. The federal government should be held accountable for lost items. So much for our freedom.
Waldo 312 wrote: 2d 20h ago
So what's new! They stole from my wife's luggage at Kennedy back in 1970.
CruzanIron wrote: 2d 20h ago
The TSA reached a mind-boggling new low in customer service this week when it was revealed that one agent had single-handedly absconded with over $200,000 worth of travelers' belongings, primarily cameras and laptops, and proceeded to unload his booty on eBay. His latest haul: A near-$50,000 camera that an HBO employee had been traveling with. The culprit is one Pythias Brown, a New Jersey resident who worked in the TSA department at Newark Liberty Airport. Finally busted, police discovered an inventory of 66 cameras, 31 laptops, assorted jewelry, and more when they searched his home. How'd he finally get caught? Brown snagged a camera belonging to CNN, and they found it for sale on eBay, where Brown had been converting the gear into cash.
billrandle wrote: 15m ago
I have flown through JFK for years and discovered right after 9/11 that I should no longer pack valuables in my luggage. My wife's jewelry was stolen twice and my watch and electric razor were also taken. I complained both times and my complaints went absolutely nowhere. And that was back in 2002.
I have flown through JFK for years and discovered right after 9/11 that I should no longer pack valuables in my luggage. My wife's jewelry was stolen twice and my watch and electric razor were also taken. I complained both times and my complaints went absolutely nowhere. And that was back in 2002.
These TSA agents have been stealing with impunity since 2002 (7 years!) so it’s disturbing to consider that the TSA still hasn’t installed security cameras in the area where they examine luggage. How is it possible that TSA agents have the expectation that they could walk off their job with items such as jewelry and laptops? There have been other instances of TSA agents intercepting planned drug shipments and ensuring they got to the criminal connection in New York.
In the aftermath of 9/11 our government rushed to inspect luggage, and wiretap phones, and investigate anyone who didn’t support the Bush administration’s stance on the war, utilizing fear tactics to institute and justify all kinds of outrageous behavior - all in the name of “keeping us safe from the bogeyman.” It's one thing to institute measures to help ensure safety, but the Bush administration simply didn't bother with accountability, proper management and supervision, or oversight. Anyone in positions of authority or power could do as they pleased and there was virtually no accountability.
Watching Americans running around like chickens with their heads cut off every time some demagogue whispers “war on terror” leads me to the conclusion that the terrorists have already won. We Americans have turned to frightened mush and don’t even blink when government tells us they need to abridge more of our rights, all in the name of the so-called “war on terror.” We've abdicated our responsibility to hold our government accountable and we've gotten exactly what we deserve.
In the aftermath of 9/11 our government rushed to inspect luggage, and wiretap phones, and investigate anyone who didn’t support the Bush administration’s stance on the war, utilizing fear tactics to institute and justify all kinds of outrageous behavior - all in the name of “keeping us safe from the bogeyman.” It's one thing to institute measures to help ensure safety, but the Bush administration simply didn't bother with accountability, proper management and supervision, or oversight. Anyone in positions of authority or power could do as they pleased and there was virtually no accountability.
Watching Americans running around like chickens with their heads cut off every time some demagogue whispers “war on terror” leads me to the conclusion that the terrorists have already won. We Americans have turned to frightened mush and don’t even blink when government tells us they need to abridge more of our rights, all in the name of the so-called “war on terror.” We've abdicated our responsibility to hold our government accountable and we've gotten exactly what we deserve.
airstreamjim wrote: 2d 21h ago
Some questions:
Why did this "investigation" take 6 months?
Is it because the Gestapo agents are not subject to arrest by local and airport police or citizens arrest?
How many travelers complaints were "dismissed" prior to this investigation?
Why can the average traveler get speedy and just compensation for damaged or stolen items?
Reminder: A claim will NOT be approved AFTER you leave the checkpoint.
If the Gestapo agents can be cleared for unescorted access to any area of the airport, why can't airline employees be cleared by the same process?
Why is the average traveler threatened with arrest just for trying to file a complaint with local/airport police?
Why is the Gestapo NOT accountable to any oversight?
Until the above are truthfully answered and a complete operational audit completed, the Gestapo should be disbanded and replaced with a group ACCOUNTABLE to the travelir and local/airport police.
Stop the fear mongering and return to sensible security.
Why did this "investigation" take 6 months?
Is it because the Gestapo agents are not subject to arrest by local and airport police or citizens arrest?
How many travelers complaints were "dismissed" prior to this investigation?
Why can the average traveler get speedy and just compensation for damaged or stolen items?
Reminder: A claim will NOT be approved AFTER you leave the checkpoint.
If the Gestapo agents can be cleared for unescorted access to any area of the airport, why can't airline employees be cleared by the same process?
Why is the average traveler threatened with arrest just for trying to file a complaint with local/airport police?
Why is the Gestapo NOT accountable to any oversight?
Until the above are truthfully answered and a complete operational audit completed, the Gestapo should be disbanded and replaced with a group ACCOUNTABLE to the travelir and local/airport police.
Stop the fear mongering and return to sensible security.
skramsv wrote: 2d 21h ago
When TSA came up with the "New and Improved" TSA lock, I noticed all kinds of things missing when I checked my bags. I put glue in the TSA key hole and I have not had anything missing since. Complaints to TSA about theft of my prescription meds fell on deaf ears. Their response was 'Why would someone steal Oxycodone? ' The guy said it with a straight face too. This happened right at the TSA/Security check point. My bag was checked by TSA where I could not fully see what was going on and TSA was keeping me busy making sure the cast on my leg was not a bomb or hiding anything. I got my bag back and went to put my meds in my purse and they were gone. I know I packed them since I could tell the time by the amount of pain I was in. I asked the TSA manager to look around the area in case they fell out during the check. He refused
Needless to say, the TSA manager would not even look on the security video and threatened me with a further search for even suggesting that a TSA person would steal drugs.
I hate to paint all of TSA with criminal paint because there are some honest people who do their best to keep us safe, but there are more than a few criminals employed by TSA getting rich off unsuspecting flyers.
Needless to say, the TSA manager would not even look on the security video and threatened me with a further search for even suggesting that a TSA person would steal drugs.
I hate to paint all of TSA with criminal paint because there are some honest people who do their best to keep us safe, but there are more than a few criminals employed by TSA getting rich off unsuspecting flyers.
El Cid campeador wrote: 2d 22h ago
When I went overseas, the airline lost my luggage that were all messed and have to buy new ones. When I came back, they messed the new ones with notes that they were inspected by my firendly TSA.I never bothered to file a claim that may take forever to get the cost of my luggages and its contents. I am not surprised and there are many more that have not been caught.
David E Chapper wrote: 2d 23h ago
martymoran wrote: 2d 23h ago
They should also check TSA employees at Miami airport who work at Spirit Airlines. They stole over $2,000. worth of electronic including an Ipod and a digital camera. It is impossible that only Spirit employees were involved since only persons with x-ray access would know that the equipment was in the bag. The claim forms for TSA theft are extensive to discourage claims.
martymoran wrote: 2d 23h ago
I had a hearing aid box (empty) that looked like a jewelry box lifted from a bag at the Pittsburgh airport. Guess they thought it contained something valuable. What a suprise for the gonzo crooks.
ODB wrote: 2d 23h ago
Had my daughter's iPod taken from my carry-on bag while going through security check out of Detroit, September of 2008. Called TSA w/in 2 hours & was told to fill out the 'novel-thickness' inquirey packet they would send me & return w/ a notary's signature, receipts, etc. It would have taken at least 6 man-hours to complete the process. I just chalked one up for the TSA & the scum-bag employee who took it.