"NYC Airport Screeners Charged With Theft"

Wednesday, August 11, 2004

NYC Airport Screeners Charged With Theft
The Associated Press


NEW YORK - Four federal security screeners were charged with stealing
watches, jewelry and other property from baggage at two New York City
airports, authorities said Wednesday.

One screener was accused of stealing $40 in cash, watches and rings from
luggage sent by undercover detectives last week through screening at the
American Airlines terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

A search of the man's apartment later revealed watches, pens, cigarette
lighters and other merchandise that had also been planted by undercover
agents to go through screening, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown
said.

The other defendants are accused of stealing from bags at La Guardia
airport's Continental Airlines terminal in May. Those thefts were
recorded by surveillance cameras or observed by Port Authority
detectives, Brown said in a statement.

Passenger complaints prompted the investigations at both airports, he
said.

All four screeners worked for the Transportation Security
Administration, the agency created after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks. TSA employees are authorized to open bags to search for
explosives and banned items.

The four suspects await arraignment in Queens Criminal Court.


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