TSA Worker Accused of Stealing $8,500 from Checked Bag at O’Hare
By Erin Meyer on January 30, 2014 6:38am
COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A Transportation Security Administration agent is facing a felony theft charge after he allegedly stole $8,500 from a checked suitcase at O’Hare International Airport, prosecutors said.
Angel Velazquez, 59, was still wearing his TSA uniform when his mug shot was taken by Chicago Police. A TSA spokeswoman said the federal agency is moving to fire him.
Prosecutors in court Wednesday said a 48-year-old woman put the cash in her suitcase and checked the bag as she took a flight on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in mid-November. When she arrived at her undisclosed destination, she realized the money was missing.
Prosecutors said that agent Velazquez was caught on surveillance video going through the woman’s suitcase. He allegedly found the cash, stashed it in a garbage can and later retrieved it and put it in his own backpack.
No way in hell I’d leave 8.5 k in my luggage.