Passenger's Device Found In TSA Agent's Pants, Accused Of Theft Of Other Goods

A TSA employee was caught stealing an iPad from a suitcase, and Broward County, FL Sheriff’s Office detectives say he’s responsible for a string of similar thefts over the past six months.

Nelson Santiago Broward County Sheriff's Office Photo

Nelson Santiago, who worked in Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport’s Terminal 1, which houses Southwest and Continental airlines, was arrested Monday and charged with two counts of grand theft. Santiago, 30, told detectives that he stole electronics such as computers, GPS devices and video cameras from luggage he was screening. He would immediately take a photo of the stolen item with his cell phone, post it for sale online and often sell it by the time his shift ended. Detectives estimate he stole about $50,000 worth of electronics over the past six months, and the vast majority of the items were sold very quickly.
 
A Continental employee who saw Santiago, who joined TSA in January of 2009, slip an iPad out of a suitcase Monday and into his pants, confronted Santiago and reported the theft to a Continental supervisor. The supervisor then contacted BSO and the TSA. TSA is cooperating with the investigation.
 
According to a Broward County Sheriff's Office news release, Santiago was arrested Monday and was released on bond the following day, They said additional charges are pending. Oh, and he is no longer employed by the federal government as a TSO.

FMI: www.tsa.gov, http://sheriff.org/