A janitor at Miami International Airport (MIA) was arrested last week after being caught on surveillance footage stealing $60,000 worth of Rolex watches from a passenger’s bag. The incident occurred shortly after the traveler had cleared customs and briefly left their bag unattended. The janitor, identified as 57-year-old Alberto Rabanal, is now facing serious legal consequences, including potential prison time and a hefty fine.
Credit: Nearmap
Incident Details:
According to NBC 6 South Florida, Rabanal was apprehended on August 26th, charged with two counts of second-degree grand theft. The victim had arrived from Lisbon, Portugal, on a TAP Air Portugal flight, which is the only airline offering nonstop service between Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) and Miami. The traveler had placed a duty-free bag containing two Rolex watches on the ground near a metal pillar and garbage can while waiting for a ride-share service on the second level of Terminal J.
At that moment, Rabanal, a cleaning services employee at the airport, reportedly noticed the unattended bag and decided to investigate. Surveillance footage reveals that he looked inside the bag, which contained a sweater concealing a black case holding the watches. Rabanal then removed the sweater, took the bag to a secluded area out of public view, and stole the valuable items. He subsequently placed the sweater back in the bag, concealed it in a trash bag, and disposed of it in a garbage can.
Legal Consequences:
Miami-Dade Police detectives traced the crime back to Rabanal, and after searching his home, they found the stolen watches on top of his dresser. Rabanal confessed to the theft and was promptly booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Alongside the two counts of grand theft, he faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of $10,000, according to USA TODAY.
In a court appearance on August 23rd, Rabanal was granted a $7,500 bond and was appointed a public defender. It remains unclear if he is still employed at the airport or with the company that hired him. The exact identity of the company has not been disclosed.
Repeat Offenses at MIA:
This theft is not an isolated incident at Miami International Airport. Last year, three Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers were caught on camera stealing money from passengers’ bags as they were screened at a security checkpoint. These officers, identified as Josue Gonzalez, Elizabeth Fusterm, and Labarrius Williams, were arrested and charged with organized schemes to defraud after being accused of stealing $600 from a single passenger’s wallet.
These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges at major airports like MIA, where the safety of passengers’ belongings can sometimes be compromised. While airport security measures continue to evolve, the importance of vigilance and secure handling of personal items remains paramount.
Conclusion:
As the investigation into Rabanal’s actions continues, travelers are reminded to stay cautious and keep an eye on their belongings, even in seemingly secure areas like airports. With thefts like these making headlines, it’s clear that even the most vigilant travelers must remain alert.
