Did the TSA Steal $300 from a 95-Year-Old Man?

Omer Petti, a 95-year-old Air Force veteran, claims he had $300 stolen from him during airport screening. WXYZ news reports that to prepare for the metal detectors Petti took a metal money clip out of his pocket and placed it in the bin, and then put his cash back in his pocket. Apparently, a TSA agent made Petti put his $300 in the bin before going through the metal detector. Then, Petti was informed that he had tested positive for nitrates (due to medicine that he takes) and had to undergo a pat-down in a back room. When Petti was finally released, his cash was gone.

Petti reported the theft, but was told that the surveillance video of the screening area was too blurry to see who (if anyone) had taken the money.

Considering how many times in the past we’ve reported on TSA agents caught in the act of stealing from passengers, we’re inclined to believe Petti’s allegations. There was the TSA agent who stole iPods and resold them, the two screeners charged with stealing cash from passengers’ bags, and a TSA supervisor who stole cash from non-English speaking passengers during screening.

We hope something like this incident doesn’t happen to you, but if it does, here’s our guide on what to do.