PortMiami security arrested after stealing from cruise passengers

[Jason]

Turns out one of the biggest threats to cruise ship passengers at the Port of Miami were security guards hired to protect them.

Jean Russell Thomas, 30, and Sherece Nelson, 25, were arrested after police uncovered their practice of stealing iPads and other electronics from passengers and then selling the stolen goods.

Police began investigating September 2 when a passenger on the Carnival Victory complained she hadn't received her bags in her cabin. After a delay, the luggage showed up, but while she was unpacking, she noticed her iPad was missing.

A review of security footage revealed Thomas handling the bag in question. He was on duty that day working an x-ray machine. Footage shows him taking the bag off the conveyer built and then placing an object into the rear of his pants underneath his shirt.

On September 5, police found a Craigslist posting that Thomas had placed advertising the sale of two iPads, one of which matched the description of the one missing from the passenger.

An undercover officer arranged to buy the iPad for $450. Nelson, another Port of Miami security officer, showed up at the transaction to act as a lookout.

Both were arrested on the spot.

An iPod Touch that had been reported stolen from a passenger in February was also found in Nelson's car.

By Kyle Munzenrieder, Miami New Times

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[Sarge6870]

Not that it justifies what the guards did but WHY would you put your iPad in check-in baggage to begin with? Might as well put your wallet in there too if you think that way!!! Just sayin'........

[DebbieandJerry]

Sarge, you make a valid observation. What we don't know is - was this the x-ray machine of mass luggage or check-in luggage? When I first read it, I thought check-in luggage.

[Sarge6870]

Sarge, you make a valid observation. What we don't know is - was this the x-ray machine of mass luggage or check-in luggage? When I first read it, I thought check-in luggage.

I know how much trouble "assuming" can get me into but I read into it a bit. If it was in carry on, you and many others would be standing around and you would be watching what happens to your bags when it goes through the X-Ray machine. Good chance you would see a security guard open your bag when it exits the machine since he's right there in front of you. Now if it was in check-in baggage, you never see the guards that scan your bags because that happens behind the scenes. Very easy for them to open and remove items from your baggage without your knowledge. When I cruise, I put a zip-tie through the 2 tiny holes on the zipper so security can cut it if they feel a need to open it but it also allows me to see they cut it and opened it. If that happens, then I check my stuff in that bag closely to see that all my items are there!

[DebbieandJerry]

Good points, Sarge. Thanks for clarifying.

I like your tie-on suggestion. I also like your original comment of why would you pack the I-pad in the first place?!

[Sarge6870]

Good points, Sarge. Thanks for clarifying.

I like your tie-on suggestion. I also like your original comment of why would you pack the I-pad in the first place?!

We like to keep our carry-on stuff to a minimal since we arrive at the port early and can't access our cabin for a few hours. BUT, we take all items of value with us. A change of clothes, like swimwear, sunscreen and any electronics we bring onboard that may become "missing" in transit otherwise! After hearing all the stories of how airport baggage handlers were stealing items from passengers luggage, I came to the conclusion the "behind the scenes" handlers at the ports can do the same. Remember, safety FIRST!!

[Jan115]

Another important lesson - if you're going to steal electronics, don't go and post them up for sale on line for the whole world to see - duh!

[iMan9796@gmx.com]

This same disgusting thievery of property is standard operating procedure at the Port Authority Bus Terminal's Lost & Found Dept. in NYC by its Supervisors. Google “Donna Lebourne abc news" & watch the vile face of shame being confronted & exposed.

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/investigators&id=9105280

Port Authority Supervisor Donna Lebourne has an outside job, she is the Vice President of her & her husband’s charity Caribbean Sports International that donates cellphones & other electronics. If you lost an item at the Port Authority Bus Terminal and did not get it back, contact her charity, perhaps she may donate your item back to you out of the kindness of her evil heart. It's very easy to be charitable when you are giving away someone else's property.

http://www.corporationwiki.com/New-Jersey/Maplewood/caribbean-sports-international/85267222.aspx

http://www.gmdu.net/corp-390048.html

The Port Authority allows these crimes by their supervisors & their enablers to go unpunished. They will aggressively prosecute and punish contractors, sub-contractors, vendors etc. However, prosecuting and punishing their own employees is quite a different subject. Hmm...why is that?

The Port Authority also has an illegal policy of throwing lost valid passports found at the PABT in the garbage, for anyone to find & use for their own nefarious purposes. The Port Authority’s illegal passport policy is criminally insane in this age of global terrorism and rampant identity theft. Wouldn’t that be an act of treason against the United States of America? The Port Authority has become an imminent threat to national security. Google “Port Authority - passports” & “found, stolen, trashed by PA”

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/investigators&id=9277998

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/found_stolen_trashed_by_pa_V4RMICgPyy2bhAVzDkW9EL

No one should be above the law no matter who they are and who they work for.