Airport Workers Stole US$40K From Checked Bags at JFK

Port Authority police busted two Transportation Safety Administration employees, Persad Coumar, 44, and Davon Webb, 30, for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars from checked baggage at John F. Kennedy Airport.

Prosecutors said Coumar allegedly X-rayed a piece of baggage on Jan. 30 and noticed money inside. He is then accused of phoning Webb, who was in a baggage belt area, to tell him about the discovery.

Authorities said Webb showed up and marked the bag with tape. Coumar is then accused of intercepting it in another handling area, and removing cash from the bag. The pair later met in the bathroom to divide the money and hide it in their clothing.

Police say $39,980 was recovered from the suspects' homes in connection with the investigation.

Both Coumar and Webb have each been charged with third-degree larceny, third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, fifth-degree conspiracy and a misdemeanor charge of official misconduct, the Queens district attorney's office said.

ORIGINAL SOURCE