TSA Screener Caught Lifting Personal Items

What we all feared (and many of us, expect) is happening to our baggage -- thieves in the clothes of baggage handlers and a TSA official -- have been charged for stealing from passenger's bags-this time at the Jacksonville International Airport. Three baggage handlers and a federal screener were arrested Thursday and Friday and charged with stealing nine laptops, a computer bag, software, a wristwatch and an iPod, the U.S. Attorney's Office told the The Times-Union.

The accused men worked in an area where luggage is screened and then loaded on to departing jets. The federal employee worked for the Transportation Security Agency, the others worked for a baggage loading subcontractor. The men allegedly stole passenger's items in October and November. Delta, United and Continental Airlines were picked for the thefts by the men, none of whom worked for an airline.

An investigation ensued after complaints about missing items from passenger's luggage, according to Steve Cole, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The accused are: Craig Hannan, 34, of Kingsland, Ga.; and Jacksonville residents Evedge Moore, 21, Quintin Davis, 25, and Racardi Lamar, 18. TSA screener Hannan and the other men were released.

U.S. Attorney Robert E. O'Neill condemned the acts.

"Here we are as citizens entrusting our goods to these people in the name of airport security. Then to have it stolen ... We have to make sure if that occurs, the perpetrators get brought to justice," O'Neill said.

Federal Security Director Edward J. Goodwin addressed the thefts with a statement. 

"At TSA, we have a zero-tolerance policy for theft, period," he said. Airline officials also are cooperating with investigators with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, TSA, and the Jacksonville Aviation Authority Police Department.
 
"We take the security of our passengers and their belongings seriously," said Susan Elliott, a spokeswoman for Delta Air Lines.

FMI: www.tsa.gov, www.usdoj.gov/