Posted on 10/06/2013 10:45:58 AM PDT by nickcarraway
The unidentified 9-year-old was able to get past airport security and screening agents before touching down in Nevada. His presence aroused flight attendants' suspicions and they alerted authorities, who took him into custody upon landing.
A 9-year-old boy snuck past airport security and boarded a flight from Minneapolis to Las Vegas without appearing to have ever held or shown a boarding pass according to an airport official.
Despite several layers of security and fear of global threats to the nation's airports, the unaccompanied child "went through the entire security screening process" Thursday without a hitch, according to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport spokesman Patrick Hogan.
It was only until Delta flight 1651 was making its land that flight attendants allegedly grew suspicious of the child and alerted authorities on the ground. Officers with the Las Vegas Police Department greeted the boy and placed him in custody with child protective services according to Hogan.
Additional details about the boy and the security lapse were referred to the TSA, who declined questions Sunday, but said they are currently investigating the incident.
According to surveillance video, at 10:37 a.m., the boy arrived to the airport solo on a southbound light-rail car.
He was screened at Terminal 1 and granted access to its nine airlines despite appearing to have never produced a required ticket. Identification for child passengers is not a requirement, according to Hogan.
At one point he's believed to have lumped himself in with another family traveling. Outside of this, strenuous effort by the child to mask his passage wasn't obviously seen on the video surveillance, according to Hogan.
Police say it's not immediately clear where the boy is from though it's suggested he may have been a runaway from the Twin Cities area who used a light-rail car, pictured, to get from the city to the airport.
Police say it's not immediately clear where the boy is from though it's suggested he may have been a runaway from the Twin Cities area who used a light-rail car, pictured, to get from the city to the airport.
Minneapolis police tell the Daily News the residency of the child is not yet confirmed while KARE reports that the boy is believed to have been a runaway from the Twin Cities area.
The public transit system used by the boy has stops ranging from downtown Minneapolis to the north and Mall of America to the south.
But as security footage shows the boy's solo venture to the airport may not have been his first.
"He appears to have been at the airport the day before as well," said Hogan.
That Wednesday afternoon security footage shows the boy dining at an airport restaurant in a pre-screening area while carrying an item of luggage that didn't belong to him.
The child allegedly stole a piece of luggage off a carousel, carried it to the restaurant where he ordered lunch, and asked his server to watch his suitcase while he used the restroom, KARE reports.
The request by the server was granted, but instead of the boy returning to collect the suitcase and pay his bill, he disappeared.
A request for comment from the Las Vegas Police Department was not immediately returned.
I can think of a worse case scenario. Not being told the nationality or race of this child, could he have been practicing innocently leaving a bomb in a suitcase in the airport. Without adults with him who would attract much more attention, he successfully left an “unattended” bag and disappeared. He also was able to board an airplane! I was thinking runaway until I read the part about being there the day before and the suitcase. Sounds like he was practicing, but for what?
yeah, maybe shortly to a house near you, late one night.
Frank Abagnale’s son?
Amen!
Either
1. The O’Ministration wants everyone to think that NTA is furloughed during the govt shutdown (”scary” to many)
or
2. Kids are learning to be little adults way too soon
Oh, this child’s mother has more stories than this. He’s probably brilliant.
Isn’t there a large Somalian refugee community in Minneapolis?
Just sayin...
(Your post saved me from having to post the same thought!! One of the few times I read thru a thread before posting!!)
TSA is claiming “furloughs” as an excuse.
Anyone else sense that this boy was a runaway from the Twin Cities area? I mean there is a subtle suggestion of such....
Nina Golgowski, for the love of pete, take a little time to proofread, huh?
the spirit of Huck Finn lives on - bless him and his wild ways.
**
I have a hard time applauding a kid who steals someone else’s luggage and uses it to steal a meal.
The kid’s a criminal, plain & simple.
***
Very crafty con man at the tender age of 9. Frightening.
The kid is a runaway. Family hadn’t seen him around. (no concern about a 9 year-old apparently)
“Minneapolis Police went to his residence. Parents told officers they “hadn’t seen much of him today.” A family member told police the boy ran away and was last seen earlier Thursday.”
from minn cbs affiliate
“I say the other passengers paid. The kid is a thief “
The kid’s 9 years old, for crying out loud.
“It’s fun to do bad things.”
“Minneapolis Police went to his residence. Parents told officers they “hadn’t seen much of him today.” A family member told police the boy ran away and was last seen earlier Thursday.”
Wow, with that level of concern at home, running away to Vegas was probably a good idea. He might be the smartest one in the house.
You have a point. I can’t believe that the parents appeared to have little concern.
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