There have been a recent series of theft allegations against TSA employees.
One such case involves Agent Clayton Keith Dovel who was arrested last week on suspicion of stealing numerous iPads from passenger’s luggage at DFW’s airport.
It appears Dovel was stealing the iPads from his position where he screened passenger’s checked luggage by hand.
Due to the smarts of one victim, Dovel was caught because the victim had downloaded the “Find My iPhone” app onto her iPad. She was able to track her stolen iPad directly to Dovel’s house where police found at least seven iPads at Dovel’s home.
Dovel has been placed on leave until officials can further investigate the situation.
I think video surveillance cameras should be installed in the area where luggage is checked. This would catch those who are stealing, although I am sure most TSA employees are honest, hard working individuals.
Video surveillance in the screening area at John F. Kennedy International Airport recently helped catch a TSA agent who stole $5,000 from a passenger’s jacket. The surveillance video showed TSA agent Alexandra Schmid taking the money from a jacket pocket, wrapping the cash in a plastic glove and taking it to a bathroom.
The money hasn’t been recovered and police are investigating whether Schmid gave it to another person in the bathroom.
Schmid, age 31, was arrested on a charge of grand larceny and suspended pending an investigation.
It is best to never check items of value in your luggage and to check for your valuables after they have gone through the passenger screening area. If you must check your computers, there are software programs for Macs and PCs that will track your computer should it be lost or stolen.
