U.S. TSA workers stole $40k from baggage at JFK airport

U.S. TSA workers stole $40k from baggage at JFK airport

2011-02-17 03:07:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW YORK CITY (BNO NEWS) -- Two employees with the U.S. Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) have been arrested and are facing charges after allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars from checked baggage at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York.

WNBC-TV reported that Coumar Persad, 36, and Davon Webb, 30, are expected to each face felony charges of grand larceny, conspiracy and possession of stolen property. They are also expected to face a misdemeanor charge of official misconduct.

According to the channel, citing police and an unnamed TSA official familiar with the case, $39,980 was recovered from the homes of the suspects i connection with the investigation. The money is believed to have been from just one passenger's baggage.

"TSA has a zero tolerance policy for theft by employees. The disgraceful actions of a few should not reflect negatively on the approximately 50,000 TSA officers who work each day to keep the traveling public safe," said TSA spokesman Greg Soule.

Soule added that the TSA is working closely with law enforcement authorities to ensure the individuals responsible are prosecuted. "We will move swiftly and decisively to end the federal careers of any employee who engages in illegal activity on the job," he added.

The TSA official cited by WNBC-TV said the TSA is in the process of terminating both Webb and Persad. The arrests are believed to have been the result of an investigation after another TSA employee at JFK reported the theft to TSA management.

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