Matthew Perez

Police: TSA Officer Steals Passenger's Money During Pat Down at Orlando Airport

A Transportation Security Administration officer was arrested after being accused of stealing money from a passenger at Orlando International Airport.

Kathleen Duddleston, a passenger at the airport, entered a TSA checkpoint lane on Thursday and required additional screening, according to WESH.

Lead TSA officer Michelle Metz conducted a pat down on Duddletston, who became concerned when she couldn't see her luggage properly. This prompted 22-year-old TSA officer Alexander Johnson to move only slightly, according to an arrest report.

After the pat down, police said Duddleston walked to retrieve her bag and check to see if her money was still there, but discovered it had gone missing.

She noticed a bulge in Johnson's shirt pocket and asked if it was her money. Johnson told her the money he had was from the bank, according to police.

Duddleston spoke with Metz once again and told her that her money was missing and she believed Johnson had it in his pocket.

Metz retrieved the money and notified a supervisor.

The police report states that surveillance footage showed Johnson reaching into Duddleston's bag, taking the money and putting it into his pocket.

Police said the money was returned to Duddleston and Johnson was arrested on suspicion of grand theft in the third degree.

A TSA spokesperson said they "immediately reported the allegation to Orlando Police Department" and "immediately ended the federal career of this individual."

Officials said Johnson had worked with TSA for only a few months.

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