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Tourists Watch Out: Alleged Serial Airport Robber Caught
By
Ben Yakas
Published Mar 17, 2012
Modified Mar 17, 2012
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Mar 17, 2012
Modified Mar 17, 2012
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A timely reminder to tourists and travelers not to be distracted at JFK airport, or else you might end up being a robbery victim: Port Authority police arrested a serial airport robber who has been connected to at least six robberies at JFK over the last three months. Frederick McDonald, 46, was arrested after stealing a backpack containing a laptop and $4,000 cash from an unsuspecting tourist: “He just flew in,” said Al Della Fave, a Port Authority spokesman. “He’s excited to be in the big city. He was taking pictures. [McDonald], the ultimate opportunist, grabs the bag and walks away.”
Police caught McDonald on surveillance camera snagging the bag on March 2nd, and quickly were able to identify him and track him down. Della Fave explained his M.O.: “He would look for unsuspecting folks who were just in the moment, not paying attention." Authorities have linked McDonald to five other airport thefts since Jan. 22. Altogether, McDonald made off with a total of approximately $18,000 in cash and electronics; he has been charged with six counts of grand larceny and is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
As of last summer, luggage-related larcenies were up almost 30 percent at JFK airport—only 28 of the 299 complaints filed last year led to arrests. So pack light, keep your possessions close to you, or perhaps consider investing in a jet pack.
Tagged
airport
Frederick McDonald
JFK
port authority
robber
serial robber
thief
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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