It’s bad enough when anyone steals from you, but it strikes me as particularly galling when it is an airline employee, as in this case, a pair of Spirit Airlines employees in Florida.
Spirit Airlines Employees Charged After Allegedly Stealing Passenger’s Louis Vuitton Purse
Two Spirit Airlines employees have been charged with theft after authorities say they stole a passenger’s designer purse that had been left behind at Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL).
According to law enforcement, the incident began on October 19, when a passenger flying from Fort Lauderdale to Austin (AUS) accidentally left her Louis Vuitton wristlet, valued at around $500, on a Spirit Airlines counter in Terminal 3. The bag was later recovered by airline staff and placed in a drawer behind the counter, where it remained for several days.
Surveillance footage allegedly shows two Spirit employees, identified as supervisor Olukunle Idowu, 49, and colleague Hyacinth Linton, 56, retrieving the purse three days later. Authorities say the video depicts Idowu opening the wristlet and removing its contents, placing items into a plastic bag and then throwing that plastic bag away, while Linton allegedly took the empty purse and placed it into her backpack before leaving the area.
Both employees were later arrested and charged with petit theft. Idowu faces a charge related to theft valued between $100 and $750 and has pleaded not guilty. Linton faces a lesser charge and was released after posting bond. Court proceedings are ongoing.
Spirit Airlines has confirmed that the two employees were charged in connection with the alleged theft. The airline says one employee has been suspended without pay and the other placed on leave while an internal investigation continues.
“We are aware that two employees were charged in November for an alleged theft. One employee has been suspended without pay, and the other is on a leave of absence. We are conducting a thorough investigation into this matter and will take further action as deemed necessary following the conclusion of our investigation.”
How sad…
CONCLUSION
If the allegations are proven, this case represents a serious breach of trust and professionalism. Airline employees occupy a position that requires honesty, particularly when handling lost items. It is not too much to ask to expect that such items are safeguarded, not stolen.
Regardless of the outcome in court, this incident is a reminder for us to keep valuables close and a sad reminder that trusting anyone to “do the right thing” when we leave an item behind is a risky bet…
I guess when it’s Louis Vuitton it’s called “petite” theft versus petty. 🙂
LOL. I think that’s what they call it in Florida instead of petty!
Well that’s the Christmas Spirit! Already aware that your employment is circling the drain, just pull the plug on your future. Pathetic.
Louis Vuitton on a Spirit flight? How the mighty have fallen.
If it isn’t a knock-off to begin with, this is ironically a sign of greater economic strife, whereby people splurge on smaller things (designer bag), because they cannot afford the bigger things (like, a nice home, better car, etc.)
Best advice is don’t steal other people’s items. But second best advice is especially don’t steal other people’s item in an airport where there are more cameras and law enforcement officers than nearly any other place in America.