Allegedly Stole 25 Gallons From JetBlue A320

Was it desperation, stemming from record high prices for heating oil... or an effort to cash in on those same prices? Officials at Portland International Jetport (PWM) in Maine have some questions for one airport worker, accused of siphoning jet fuel out of a JetBlue Airways A320.

The Portland Press-Herald reports the man is accused of stealing Jet-A -- which is, essentially, high-grade kerosene -- on at least two separate occasions. JetBlue officials noticed missing fuel on Monday, and on April 28.

It's not known why no action was taken following the earlier incident, though workers reportedly caught the suspect red-handed last week, siphoning fuel into a five-gallon container. Airport personnel believe the man had stolen at least 25 gallons, which he told police he then burned for heat.

The man wasn't a JetBlue employee, but rather a contract worker with Northeast Air, which provides fueling services at PWM.

Technically, the theft is only a misdemeanor... but the man faces additional charges related to damage incurred to the aircraft. Apparently, the May 12 siphoning damaged a fuel cap assembly on the A320, forcing a 30-minute delay to the carrier's scheduled 0600 flight to John F. Kennedy International

JetBlue says that delay works out to nearly $3,000 in additional costs, mostly due to additional crew time necessary to fix the problem, and the resulting domino-effect to its schedule for that plane.

But JetBlue says it's not just about the money.

"We treat the security of our crew members, customers and aircraft as our No. 1 priority," said spokeswoman Jenny Dervin. "Unauthorized work or touching of the aircraft is something we watch for."

Dervin added that despite the theft, however, the airport's security force did its job... as a suspect was identified, and arrested.

FMI: www.jetblue.com, www.portlandjetport.org/