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Detroit airport cop and TSA worker accused of stealing pizza and punching clerk
Ladies and gentlemen, we have two new contenders for the "dumbest TSA workers of the year" award. An airport cop and TSA worker both showed up at a Hartland Township, MI gas station to buy some booze in order to continue their buzz (which means they drove there drunk already). The two paid for the booze, then Renee Zima, the TSA officer, is accused of stealing two pieces of pizza, and leaving the store.
When the store clerk approached them demanding payment for the items, Zima flashed her TSA badge, claiming she was with Homeland Security. When the clerk tried to get their plate number, these two idiots bent the plate, then stood in front of it, blocking his view. When the clerk went back outside, Zima's partner in crime (and off duty airport police officer) Richard Frederick punched him in the face.
The funny part is that all the effort put into covering up their license plate was completely useless, as these two smart criminals already identified themselves by paying for their booze purchase with a credit card, and I'm sure all the surveillance footage doesn't help their case that much either.
When apprehended, Frederick claimed he punched the clerk because he felt threatened by "all the store clerks surrounding him", even though the video clips only show one person. Both the Wayne County Airport Authority and the TSA have started an investigation into the actions. Zima has been placed on administrative leave, and Frederick has entered rehab.
Filed under: North America, United States, Airlines, Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
verdegrrl May 3rd 2010 11:20AM
Given the extremely low hiring practices, there will be more contenders.
AL May 4th 2010 10:19AM
Apparently you know very little about the TSA hiring process, because I do. And you have no idea what you are talking about.
There are idiots out there that work in just about every government agency that get out in public, use extremely poor judgment, and do stupid things. Hold them accountable for what they did on their off duty time. Leave their employer out of it.
verdegrrl May 4th 2010 12:25PM
Oh goody, maybe you can shed light how despite "rigorous background checks", just recently there have been the lovely couple in the feature article here, another TSA robber (http://www.officer.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=51791), several cases of rape or attempted rape by agents (http://www.thebostonchannel.com/mostpopular/22785620/detail.html) theft, ongoing harassment of the infirm and elderly (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHxy5GattLY),......
continued....
Ken May 4th 2010 7:08AM
Surrounded by all the employees? Must have been a big ol' store. I have never seen more than two. But then I wasn't in a hurry trying to steal two pieces of pizza. There is a question that pops up in police wannabe's interviews of what would you do if you seen another officer take a candy bar or something like that without paying for it? Well, now you know at least one officer's response.
JAUN May 4th 2010 7:22AM
ONE WORD SAYS IT ALL, DETROIT!
Patricia May 4th 2010 12:44PM
AMEN!! Agree totally.
real world May 4th 2010 8:23AM
White Trash
carl May 4th 2010 8:33AM
It's disgusting that when a citizen does something like that they are thrown in jail.But when a cop or government worker does it they get (paid) administrative leave and go into counceling.
Each year the government gets more powerful,more above the law and the citizen looses more of their rights and authority over government.
And everyone just lays down and allows everything their ancestors fought and died for to be flushed down the toilet.
Robert May 4th 2010 8:42AM
what I don't understand is why the woman tsa agent wasn't charged with thieft. I also would be willing to bet that both cops are on paid leave.( better known to the rest of the world as a vacation). if cops are so worried about their image why don't they prosecute other cops who break the law like everybody else they arrest? respect for law enforcement in this country is at an all time low. because they are not held accountable for their actions when they break the law. instead they are rewarded with a paid vacation. I think cops who don't break the law themselves. but cover for cops that do. are seen as bad cops. covering for a cop who breaks the law is just as bad as covering for a criminal who breaks the law or maybe worse. criminals don't take an oath to uphold the law.
ha ha ha May 4th 2010 8:49AM
Detroit's finest! And they want to unionize TSA?
Shannon May 4th 2010 8:52AM
What dillweeds! They should get the "stupidest of the year" award.
Dadden13 May 4th 2010 8:54AM
Maybe they were trying to score some deer crack. Its on the door of the store. Also, with a last name like Zima what do you expect ?
John S May 4th 2010 9:03AM
They get the bottom of the barrel in that job, because nobody wants it.
Adam May 4th 2010 9:09AM
These 2 are not Police Officers. They are security guards !!!
Ken May 4th 2010 9:32AM
If that was anyone else they would be arrested. Drunk driving, shoplifting and assault. Aint it wonderful to work for the government !!!!! Get out of jail card in your pocket.
Jerome Crosson May 4th 2010 9:53AM
Losers like this should not be paid with taxpayer dollars. OK, do the investigation, then fire both of them; ban them from future employment with any government agency; and cut off their benefits. Let them find a job in the private sector, where you actually have to do the job as the boss tells you.
12 bigman May 4th 2010 10:08AM
Stupid is as stupid does,administration leave with pay are you kidding me? the both of them need to be fired asap!
paid by govt May 4th 2010 10:21AM
The comments on here are truly indicative of the amount of stupidity that makes this world go around...all sectors of the workforce have their fair share of questionable employees to say it mildly; however I dont think many of you would fly if it weren't for the efforts of what you so frequently disgrace as the TSA. I guess its an even match with the pre-conceived notions or a.k.a stereotypes between "government" workers and the public, most TSA workers would agree that the traveling public can be some of the most brainless individuals you have had the misfortune of encountering; yet they are the FIRST to post something like this to place them in a better light...lol nice attempt!
AL May 4th 2010 10:35AM
stop and think....
1. They will be held accountable for what they did, even if one of them went to rehab. The Airport or TSA most likely have no desire to stand behind these two idiots.
2. The LAW says the agency has to investigate what happened before they fire someone, especially since it happened in off duty time. They have to get their ducks nicely in a row, so they can fire them legally and permanently.
pete May 4th 2010 10:49AM
TSA could have and should have hired retired and disabled military. They're already well trained, and there is no question about their integrity or loyalty to the country. What they did instead was hire every "I don't want a job" idiot they could find. I'm shocked ... SHOCKED... that they didn't consider that terrorists already know all the tricks in the book, and would be the best candidates for security based on that knowledge. That seems to be the typical "thinking" mode for our ersatz leaders!