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JFK Traveler Allegedly Stole $5,600 In Cash Out Of Another Passenger's Security Screening Tray


By

Scott Heins

Published Nov 1, 2016

Modified Nov 1, 2016


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By

Scott Heins

Published Nov 1, 2016

Modified Nov 1, 2016


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A woman flying out of JFK almost made off with $5,600 in stolen cash Sunday morning before she was arrested on a plane set for takeoff, investigators say.

According to Port Authority police, 61-year-old Nadira Mallik, a Bangladeshi national, swiped $4,300 in U.S. currency and $1,300 in Chinese Yen out of a security screening tray belonging to a 60-year-old Chinese man, and then stuffed some of the money into a Cheerios box inside her carry-on bag, boarded her Air Emirates flight, and put the stolen cash in an overhead compartment.

The theft was quickly reported, and after reviewing security footage, police officers boarded Mallik's flight and located the stolen cash.

The money was returned to the victim, and Mallik was arrested. Port Authority Police spokesperson Joe Pentangelo confirmed she has been charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.

“She asked if she could just simply give the money back,” Pentangelo told the News.

Tagged

grand larceny

JFK

larceny

stolen cash

theft


Scott Heins

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Scott Heins is a freelance photo and video journalist based in New York City, and a frequent contributor to Gothamist + WNYC. His work often centers around labor rights, housing, and policing. In 2018-2019 he traveled to four states while covering a wave of public school teachers strikes, with work featured in The New York Times, The Intercept, Getty Images, Splinter, and Bloomberg Photos. Scott is a dues-paying member of the National Writers Union's Freelance Solidarity Project.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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