Screener Accused Of Stealing From Passenger

Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington has a bit of a family crisis to deal with. It seems his nephew, Ronnie Pennington, Jr., has been fired from his job as a TSA screener at Hartsfield Airport after the agency said he stole a pair of sunglasses from a passenger. On videotape.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the chief's nephew took the sunglasses July 5th at the main security checkpoint in the Hartsfield complex. He was neither arrested nor charged. However, it could still happen. Police Major Calvin Moss said if the victim wants to press charges, "that's not at all a problem."

Let's Go To The Videotape!

Police reports indicate 21-year old Anthony Rabiee of Birmingham (AL) noticed his $100 Oakleys were missing shortly after leaving the checkpoint. Videotape shows young Pennington pocketing the glasses. When a supervisor asked the young screener about the shades, Pennington got them from a book bag he had stored in a break room. Rabiee got his Oakleys back in time to board a flight for Europe.

Ronnie Pennington, Jr. calls the whole thing a "misunderstanding." Rabiee's mother says the traveler won't press charges because Pennington was fired. APD Chief Pennington -- well, he won't say anything at all about the incident. He was told what happened on Friday and has since refused to answer reporters' questions on the matter.

FMI: www.tsa.gov