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Two Spirit Airlines employees face charges of petit theft following the alleged disappearance of a passenger’s Louis Vuitton wristlet, valued at over $500, at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Olukunle Idowu, a 49-year-old airline supervisor, and Hyacinth Linton, 56, were both charged in connection with the incident, which court records indicate involved the item being left at a gate counter before boarding. The case has drawn attention to airport security protocols and the handling of passenger belongings.
The incident unfolded on October 19 when a passenger, preparing to board a Spirit Airlines flight destined for Austin, Texas, inadvertently left her Louis Vuitton wristlet on the counter at her departure gate. The valuable item, which the victim later assessed at approximately $505, was subsequently taken into possession by Spirit Airlines personnel working at the gate area, according to initial reports and court documents.
Surveillance footage, central to the investigation, reportedly captured supervisor Olukunle Idowu discovering the wristlet three days after it was left behind. Records indicate Idowu located the item inside a drawer, “took possession of it,” and then proceeded to examine its contents. This delay in the item’s discovery and subsequent actions raised questions during the preliminary stages of the inquiry.
Further footage details a sequence of events where Idowu transported the wristlet to a gate two positions away from its original location. There, he meticulously inventoried its contents. Shortly thereafter, Hyacinth Linton joined him at this secondary gate. The pair were observed pouring the wristlet’s contents onto the counter. Within moments, Idowu reportedly scooped these items into a plastic bag, while Linton placed the wristlet “deep inside” her backpack, according to the affidavit presented in court. Idowu then allegedly discarded the plastic bag in a trash receptacle.
The arrests of the two employees followed the review of this evidence. Olukunle Idowu was taken into custody on November 21 and has since entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of petit theft, specifically valued between $100 and $750. While no bond information was immediately available, jail records suggest he is no longer in police custody. Hyacinth Linton was arrested earlier, on November 13, and subsequently posted a $500 bond, securing her release. She has not yet entered a plea to her charge of petit theft, which is valued at under $40.
Spirit Airlines acknowledged the charges in a statement to the Miami Herald, confirming that both employees were implicated in an alleged theft in November. The airline indicated that one employee has been suspended without pay, while the other is currently on a leave of absence. Spirit Airlines emphasized its commitment to a thorough internal investigation, stating that further action would be taken as deemed necessary following the conclusion of their inquiry, and affirmed that it conducts background checks consistent with applicable law.
This incident underscores broader concerns regarding the security of personal belongings within airport environments and the crucial role airline staff play in maintaining passenger trust. While airports implement various security measures for passengers and baggage, the handling of items inadvertently left behind often falls to airline personnel. Such cases highlight the potential vulnerabilities and the importance of stringent protocols for lost property.
In Florida, petit theft charges vary depending on the value of the stolen property. A charge involving property valued at more than $100 but less than $750, as in Idowu’s case, is typically classified as a first-degree misdemeanor, carrying potential penalties including up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. For property valued under $40, as in Linton’s charge, it is generally considered a second-degree misdemeanor with lesser but still significant penalties.
As legal proceedings continue for both Olukunle Idowu and Hyacinth Linton, the outcomes will be closely watched. The ongoing internal investigation by Spirit Airlines also aims to determine the full scope of the incident and any necessary adjustments to their operational procedures, ensuring accountability and reinforcing confidence in their services and staff.
