A Transportation Security Administration officer was arrested in Orlando Thursday night after a passenger accused him of stealing money from her carry-on bag.
The passenger, Kathleen Duddleston was reportedly undergoing a pat down by TSA agents, when she lost sight of her bag. According to Orlando's WFTV-9 ABC news, she twice told TSA officers she couldn't see her bag during the pat down.
After the secondary screening was completed, Duddleston immediately checked her bag and found some money was missing.
According to Orlando Police, she then noticed a bulge in the shirt pocket of 22-year-old TSA agent Alexander Shae Johnson and asked him if that was her money. Johnson, who had reportedly been working with the TSA for just a few months, told her he got the money from the bank.
Apparently, however, during TSA training class, Johnson didn't pay attention to the lesson where the TSA tells recruits that airports film everything that goes on at the security checkpoint. Everything.
Including, of course, sticking your fingers in bags that don't belong to you.
Yes, Johnson was caught on security footage removing an undetermined amount of cash from the passenger's bag.
Johnson was arrested and has been charged with third-degree grand theft. He has also been fired by the TSA.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Travelers Ditched Nearly $900,000 at TSA Checkpoints Last Year[/READMORE]
Police aren't saying how much Johnson allegedly took, but a source told WFTV that it was around $500. The money has since been returned to the passenger.
In a statement, the TSA said, "TSA has a zero tolerance for misconduct in the workplace."
"The TSA immediately reported the allegation to [Orlando Police Department] and we aggressively investigated the incident with our law enforcement partner. TSA officers represent a professional and honorable workforce that is trained to treat passengers and their personal belongings with care and respect. No exceptions will be tolerated. We immediately ended the federal career of this individual."
Police say they are not releasing the video footage at this time because it is part of an ongoing investigation.
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