Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
TSA Officer At JFK Busted Stealing $5K From Passenger's Jacket On Conveyor Belt
By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 2, 2012
Modified Feb 2, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 2, 2012
Modified Feb 2, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
An airline passenger going through security at JFK airport last night was relieved of $5,000 cash by a quick-fingered TSA officer, authorities say. A TSA spokesperson tells us the employee has been working for the TSA for over four years, and she's been identified as Alexandra Schmid. She was allegedly caught on surveillance camera taking the cash from a passenger's jacket as it moved along the X-Ray conveyor belt at the A checkpoint in Terminal Four.
After the passenger checked his coat and found the cash was missing, security checked the surveillance footage and found Schmid on camera her wrapping the money in a plastic glove and taking it to a bathroom. She's been charged with grand larceny. Unfortunately for the passenger, who left the country last night, the money has not yet been recovered, and investigators suspect Schmid handed off the loot to to an accomplice. Port Authority spokesman Al Della Fave tells us that investigators are also looking to see if Schmid is connected to other cash thefts at the airport.
In a statement, a TSA rep insists, "The actions of a few individuals in no way reflect on the outstanding job our 50,000 security officers do every day to ensure the security of the traveling public." And it's true; in recent months travelers flying with such precious items as vibrators and marijuana have arrived at their destination with friendly notes from the outstanding TSA staff!
Tagged
air travel
cash
crime
JFK
larceny
tsa
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Inside the luxury Greenpoint high-rise powered by a rumbling generator for over a month
The fallout from an electrical fire, among other safety and maintenance concerns, has sparked anger inside the 40-story tower known as The Greenpoint.
By
David Brand
Published Oct 12, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
Mayor Mamdani orders review of NYPD use of force policies
The announcement comes as Mamdani faces mounting criticism from the left for his approach to policing.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
Mayor Mamdani orders review of NYPD use of force policies
The announcement comes as Mamdani faces mounting criticism from the left for his approach to policing.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Company that won $23M NYPD building contract was investigated by LI watchdog
By
Ben Feuerherd
Plainclothes ICE agent with long gun looked like mass shooter, Mayor Mamdani says
By
Michael Sol Warren
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
By
Giulia Heyward
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .