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Engagement ring allegedly stolen by LAX security
Here's a true and sad Christmas story:The day after Christmas, my best friend CJ called to tell me she got engaged to her long-time boyfriend Rosendo. "How did he propose?!" I asked. "It's a bittersweet story," she said. Here's how it went:
On Christmas morning, Rosendo was late for his flight from L.A. to Seattle, where he was traveling to celebrate Christmas with CJ. He had been planning on proposing for a while, and had taken the time to have a ring specially designed. As he traveled, he kept the ring in a box in his jacket pocket -- inside two boxes, actually. He was pulled aside at security, where he had put his jacket on the conveyor belt to be scanned. TSA quickly went through his stuff, and afterwards Rosendo sprinted to his gate. He put on his jacket, and felt for the ring box, which was there.
He made his flight, and the next morning -- Proposal Day -- he randomly decided to look at the ring one more time. He opened the ring box -- and it was empty. No ring. Rosendo started hyperventilating and staggered into CJ's parent's living room. Nobody knew what was wrong -- they thought they might need to call an ambulance. All Rosendo said was, "It can't be possible!" When he could say more than those four words, he 'fessed up his plans, and he and CJ went shopping for the cheapest ring they could find.
The only time the ring was out of Rosendo's possession was at airport security. He's filed a police report, to no avail.
How's that for a heartwarming holiday travel story?
It seems there's no shortage of people who hate the TSA. Here are some other reasons to be annoyed with the agency:
- TSA pours out coffee, ignores boxcutter
- TSA steals traveler's pudding, leaves him armed with knife
- TSA thief caught red-handed, arrested
- TSA screeners fail to catch explosives at security checkpoint
- Fight back! Use these luggage tags.
- Go with the flow, and buy goods confiscated by the TSA.
Filed under: Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)
annaR Mar 9th 2008 12:48PM
A few years ago my husband took our digital camera on his annual work trip. When he got back I dug out the camera to see what pics he had taken and the memory card was gone. My husband is not savvy with electronics and would have had no idea how to find or remove the card. When I contacted TSA they said it must have fallen out! It was hard enough to remove it on purpose let alone have it fall out. B.S. Of course there was no way to prove it and they wouldn't admit fault. The memory card had all of the pictures on it from my son's birth and first few months. I now never put anything of value in my luggage.
A Johnson Jan 25th 2010 9:14AM
On the plus side, though, about 3 years ago a friend and I flew back from Istanbul to London. We had been visiting Turkey and had each bought a beautiful hand-made ring there. We were late, so when we went through security, she took her ring off to avoid causing a delay by making the machine beep--and of course she forgot to pick it up.
When we arrived back in London, we asked the airline to call Istanbul to see if her ring could be found--and they sent it back to her by courier the next day. Well done Ataturk airport security folks for being so honest, and Turkish Airlines for being so quick to help.
TheTravelDiary.net Jan 9th 2008 9:44AM
In the last year I've had two incidents. My Bose noise canceling headphones were lifted while I slept in a first class cabin (which was an amazing feat since I had them between my chair and the bulkhead in the last row of first class with a solid wall behind me) and our luggage was pilfered through behind the scenes at Toronto's pearson airport on an arrival. Our TSA locks were still secure but the actual luggage was damaged to get inside.
Doesn't beat the time I was in Rome though where after one subway stop all 5 unsecured zippers on my backpack were opened. :)
ANONTSO Jan 12th 2008 1:28AM
You sound like an oblivious type of a person. What exactly does any of that have to do with the TSA?
Rich Jan 11th 2008 8:18AM
It doesnt suprise me at all. My brother works as a baggage handler for an airline. He comes home with stuff all of the time. He claims if it falls out of your bag they dont turn it in they just keep it. But he also tells his friends dont put valuables in your checked luggage or someone will steal it. it's sad that this was taken from someone's jacket.
susan Jan 11th 2008 6:43AM
I believe it--I never pack or carry anything of value with me. I dont bring jewelry that I can't wear and money is always on me..I bet he learned a lesson, he will never ever make that mistake every again in his life.He Will always check his valuables from now onJust remember what goes around comes around(for the thief). If you have something of value, like a computer or electronics and its going to a family members house I would fed ex ground a couple of days earlier.
haroldmnynk Jan 11th 2008 6:47AM
I had an expensive study bible my mother gave me before she died. I noticed that there were Moslims working for airport security but thought nothing of it at the time. When I arrived at my destination I found the bible was missing. Praise be to Allah, my Bible had been removed from my loggage as contraband
tundratekk@gmail.com Feb 25th 2011 5:57PM
maybe you should tell your mom to buy you a book on grammar and spelling first...
Joanne Jan 11th 2008 6:57AM
2 years ago, flying from Arizona to Philly, I had packed my gold necklace with 2 charms on it(of course, my favorites) to avoid setting off the security sensors. Some how when I unpacked my necklace was not in my suitcase. Can't prove it but I know it! Very very Sad.
Robin Jan 11th 2008 6:54AM
WOW that is terrible..so who are the bad guys?
Meg Sez Jan 11th 2008 7:12AM
Oh sure. TSA can find an engagement ring hidden in a pocket and within two boxes BUT they can't find weapons when tested by undercover agents. Hmmm. Something just ain't right about that.
Mark Jan 11th 2008 7:06AM
Having traveled through what were supposed to be some of the most theft worthy airports in the world throughout Africa,Europe E.T.C. I never thought that my very expensive camera would be taken from my carry on in Seattle . In a hurry to catch my plane and taking for granted I had no worries,it was stolen from me. I never go through airports with an open duffle and the only time I had it open was through security. I learned an important lesson that day. Never take your eyes off of the person prossessing your hand luggage. It was devastating to me, not so much for the loss of the camera, but the extraordinary footage I still had in the camera of a Grizzly Bear and her two cubs.
sandra Jan 11th 2008 7:12AM
Atlanta TSA stole my new PUMA sneakers, who would want someone's shoes?
skippiem Jan 11th 2008 7:32AM
I recently stayed at Disney's Boardwalk hotel with my family. I always left my ring in a bowl next to the bed (so it wouldn't get lost). We were out late the night before and overslept. There was little time before checkout so we were rushing and I was very tired still and I left the room without my ring (and a few other things). I realized about two hours later my mistake. I called and immedately drove back to the hotel. However - the maid was long gone and so was my ring...I know it was on the nightstand and I know that she took it - but there is nothing that I can do except I will NEVER vacation at Disney again.
Kay Jan 13th 2008 11:52AM
A long time ago, about 20 years, we went to Edisto Island, SC for a timeshare visit. My young daughter, five years old, left her teddy bear "Harry" in the condo. We checked out and were 100 miles away when she realized she didn't have "Harry." We drove back and security checked Lost and Found - no "Harry." The next day we rec'd a call from the head of security telling us "Harry" was on his way home. They knew which housekeeper had cleaned our unit after checkout. The head of security told my husband that this individual was no longer employed at the resort. They said the housekeeper had broken the rules and protecting their guests and their valuables were important. It is a shame this type of attitude isn't exhibited by more resorts, TSA employess, etc. By the way, did you ever notice when Disney avertises for their resorts, they do not have a toll free number to call for information?
Caleb Jan 11th 2008 7:21AM
When I put my wife's engagement ring in a ring box on the table for it to be scanned, the security guard told me to keep the ring with me as I walked through the metal detector so nothing would happen to it. It sucks for everyone here, but I'm glad I kept it in my hand through every detector I went through.
ken Jan 11th 2008 7:22AM
Flying back from Charlotte N.C. my wife's digital camera was take out of her bag. We didn't discover it till we got home and unpacked and I asked her where the camera was.
Devlyn Jan 11th 2008 7:27AM
that is so crude , these airline security and luggage handelers get away with way to much so much is stolen from people who work hard to get what they have and these people come along and take advantage of travelers and could care less . I remeber the story where they were stealing stuff going to our soldiers who are fighting for thier freedom .
maybe if he had insurance on it and since he had it special made they might be able to trace it but hey we all know the cops are to busy (eating donuts) to deal with that kind of crime (cough)
ian st. paul Jan 11th 2008 7:45AM
I noticed in your "true" Christmas story about an engagement ring being stolen by TSA/LAX, you made no attempt to contact that organization for its comment, as any RESPONSIBLE journalist would do.
There are security cameras installed at the checkpoints. If you, or your friend, had taken the trouble to call TSA, give the date and time he traveled, the airline and flight number, and the lane he went through (if known), he might well be on the way to recovering the item. Do you know, Ms. Bodry, how many high-value items are left at the checkpoints every day by harried and forgetful passengers and are turned in by TSA to the nation's airports' Lost and Found departments?
I am sorry for his loss, if indeed it is a loss and he's not trying to explain away why he showed up at his girlfriend's parents' house at Christmas without a present. What I am truly sorry for is your inaction - not making any serious attempt to get a balanced view of your story. That's not being responsible. That's not being ethical. Shame on you.
ilkemountains Jan 11th 2008 3:41PM
Hi Ian,
This is a blog, not the New York Times. Although we make every effort to be as accurate as possible, we are under no obligation to reach both parties. I stated that the theft is still "alledged," and at the time I wrote, Rosendo was still in Seattle. Now that he's back in LA, he's working with police to view security tapes and potentially use a polygraph test. I'll post when the verdict is out.
Catherine