A woman in Florida isn’t playing any games about her lost luggage! Paola Garcia tracked her luggage to the home of an airport employee, and now that employee is facing felony charges.
RELATED: What did you say?! Mother-daughter duo fights with Spirit Airlines staff over baggage fees (WATCH)
How a woman found her lost luggage
According to Florida’s Local 10, Garcia flew on Spirit Airlines. Although she usually flies with her pink hard-shell suitcase as hand luggage, this time, the airline reportedly made her check her bag.
After waiting inside Terminal 4 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Paola realized her luggage was missing. After two hours, she started to panic because her bag didn’t appear on Carousel 4.
“…I was thinking I need my computer because I’m going to college, I need my computer no matter what,” she told the outlet.
But while she waited in an area of the airport, the employee allegedly, Junior Bazile, had lost luggage in hand. Junior was employed at one of the airport’s retail stores, according to Local 10.
Surveillance footage shared by Local 10 shows Junior rummaging through Paola’s suitcase. After taking out her MacBook, two Apple watches, an iPad, and several items of designer clothing, he placed the missing luggage in a clear plastic bag.
Meanwhile, Spirit Airlines staff reassured her that there was no need to worry. She gave them her home address so the lost luggage could be delivered when it was found.
However, the next morning, Paola’s Apple Watch sent a signal from a location 15 minutes from Fort Lauderdale airport. Still worried about college, Garcia decided to pick up her luggage herself.
What happens next?
Local 10 reported that Paola discovered multiple suitcases “everywhere” when she arrived at 11th Courthouse at 1017 NW.
Junior Bazile was identified as the suspect after Broward County Sheriff’s Office detectives ran the address through the airport’s internal database.
By the time police spoke to Junior, he was believed to have gotten rid of the stolen items. Prosecutors charged him with grand theft.
If the court determines the case is third-degree theft, Junior can is said to have been confronted up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Spirit Airlines & Alleged Former Owner Speaks Out
As mentioned, Paola was a Spirit Airlines passenger when this incident occurred. Given that she did not get her belongings back, the airline told Local 10 that they gave her a “courtesy” refund.
“We have issued refund checks to guests as a courtesy, although we are not currently aware of any evidence that any Spirit employee was involved. We take all allegations of this nature seriously and we are investigating,” an airline representative said.
Meanwhile, an airport spokesperson said passenger luggage is the responsibility of each airline. It is still unclear how airport staff retrieved the lost luggage.
Additionally, Paradise Shops—the company Junior worked for—confirmed that they fired him. They also assured the media that they are cooperating with local police on the case.
Speaking of airports and their employees, the Department of Transportation issued a customer facing mandate for airlines in April. The measure requires airlines to provide cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights. While airlines may still offer travel credits or other flight options, customers have the right to decline that offer.
RELATED: Run coins! Airlines will be required to provide cash refunds for canceled flights
