TSA agent stole passenger’s money at checkpoint, police say
Philip Messing
A TSA agent at JFK Airport was busted when he was caught stealing money out of a passenger’s wallet at a security checkpoint, authorities said.
Joe Bangay, 37, was processing passengers at Terminal 1 around 10:30 p.m. Saturday when he swiped $61 in cash out of the passenger’s wallet, according to police.
When the victim noticed his cash missing, he immediately alerted Port Authority police and filed a complaint, sources said.
PAPD officers reviewed security footage and watched as the victim placed the wallet in a basket and laid it on the conveyor belt of the X-ray machine.
The cops then witnessed Bangay allegedly pick up the wallet and pocket the money.
The TSA agent was arrested and charged with petit larceny and possession of stolen property.
The theft comes on the heels of several other crimes involving TSA agents.
Agent Margo Lauree-Grant was arrested earlier this month for allegedly stealing a Canadian passenger’s diamond-encrusted watch at JFK.
Last month, TSA agent Maxi Oquendo allegedly lured a female college student into a bathroom under the pretense she needed more screening. Once inside the bathroom, he allegedly molested the young woman.
http://nypost.com/2015/09/20/tsa-agent-stole-passengers-money-at-checkpoint-police-say/