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TSA Thief Red-Handed and Arrested

by Adrienne Wilson (RSS feed) on Oct 20th 2006 at 3:56PM

While a few days old now, this news on TSA theft comes out of Milwaukee where a TSA employee was caught red-handed and arrested for guess what - stealing. Apparently times must have gotten hard for the 26-year-old woman, an employee for the Transportation Security Administration for four years who is now out on bail. The incident occurred at Mitchell International Airport while the woman was screening carry-on luggage at Concourse D. A co-worker, who spotted her taking money from a passenger's wallet and stashing it behind a magazine rack rightfully snitched and investigators, went in for the kill.

How much money did they find? $235 behind the magazine rack and only $20 had come from the wallet that was seen being pick-pocketed. As mentioned earlier and according to the Milwaukee Channel news piece, the TSA thief is out of jail on $200 bail. Now, what is this news telling the good traveling citizens of America? Here are some of my thoughts: First, $200 bail is not justice and probably doesn't come close to what the suspect may have possibly stolen in the past. Second, watch your check-in, your carry-on and your back now folks. If someone could be so bold to take your money during the screening process they're bound to come snatch the shirt from your very back.

Oh, where will it end?

A TSA spokeswoman told the local news that only 1% of those who have donned the TSA uniform since August 2002 have been removed from employment for theft. 1% of the 80,000 = 800 and is still far too many for my comfort level, how about you?

via Jaunted

Filed under: Stories, North America, United States

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Brooks Oct 20th 2006 4:36PM

I don't think you're clear on what bail is. It is not the same as paying a fine; it is money you put up when you promise to appear in court at a later date; if you don't show, you forfeit the money. The $200 figure probably means that some judge found her to be a very very unlikely flight risk (har), which probably makes sense given the crime.

With $235 stolen, she's most likely facing charges of petty larceny, though being TSA it's possible that a prosecutor could tack on "under color of authority," or something similar. Me, I hope she at least serves some jail time and sees a stiff fine. All this pretend security stuff is bad enough; the people employed in the charade should be well and clearly on notice that abuse of their power will be punished harshly.

Adrienne Oct 20th 2006 4:29PM

Brooks,

Thanks for clearing up the bail issue. I've never had to pay any (not saying you did) and I'm nowhere close to having a legal degree, but it's probably more along the lines of common sense. :)

Still $200 smack-a-roos is nothing, but I agree with your sentencing...

Case dismissed. Or is it? Anyone else out there?

A