Today in TechTSA agent stole $50,000 worth of electronics from passengers
Flying can be a stressful time for anyone, and between packing, long lines, and security screenings, the last thing you want to worry about is having your stuff stolen. Unfortunately, that's just what happened to an untold number of travelers departing from Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport's terminal 1 over the past 6 months. A TSA agent named Nelson Santiago is the culprit, and was caught red-handed in an attempt to swipe an iPad from an innocent traveler's luggage.
After being spotted in the act by a Continental Airlines employee — and subsequently arrested and interrogated —Santiago admitted that it wasn't the first time he had taken items from the bags he was supposed to be screening. In fact, he had been doing it for the past 6 months, usually selling the items online and pocketing the profits. Authorities estimate his total haul at over $50,000.
Based on Santiago's information, detectives are attempting to make contact with travelers who became unwitting victims, but the process is slow and tedious. Tracking down the items the TSA officer stole is even more difficult, as the transactions made online leave very little in the way of a paper trail. Santiago has since been released on bond and is awaiting trial. He has also been fired from the TSA.
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