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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has made questionable decisions in the past, including unusual baggage warnings and, more recently, allowing plainclothes ICE agents to arrest a passenger at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Now, another incident is gaining traction.
The situation unfolded at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) after a traveler's expensive Cartier watch was stolen. Although the $9,000 watch was stolen by another passenger, a questionable move by TSA officers just prior sparked reactions among other travelers. The theft also had a completely unexpected outcome.
DFW Airport Passenger's Cartier Watch Was Stolen At The TSA Checkpoint
The TSA does have lost and found locations for items left at security checkpoints, about which it regularly reminds panicked travelers. Items are typically kept for a minimum of 30 days by TSA, or until the item is reunited with its original owner. Items can also be shipped back if at a different hub.
TSA Rules For Lost Items
For a traveler at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, this became a reality. In a video posted by NYDetective on YouTube, the passenger was aware they had forgotten the watch and had returned to the TSA area. After speaking with officers, it was confirmed that TSA agents found the watch and put it away on the counter. Although a TSA agent confirmed that they had found the watch, it was later removed from the counter.
The officer who was with the victim advised the TSA agent to store prestigious and expensive items away in a more secure spot moving forward. Placing the item in a way where it was visible to other travelers was not the wisest decision. The TSA officer reportedly did not take any accountability for it.
The victim was assured that the watch would be shipped back once it was found. Luckily, this incident had a very unexpected outcome; the officer located the watch just in time. As it turned out, a passenger on a separate Delta Air Lines flight committed the theft, snatching the watch worth thousands of dollars just before his flight to Boston.
The Thief Was Caught Before Takeoff On A Delta Flight To Boston Logan
The Delta Air Lines passenger was quickly removed from the flight to Boston and asked to gather their belongings. When questioned, the passenger admitted to taking the watch and stated they had the full intention of giving it back to the person who had lost the item.
"I tried to find the lady. It wasn't mine. I thought I could have given it to the lady. I saw her, I saw the lady. I said, I'll give it in Boston when I arrive there," the individual told an officer once out of the aircraft.
The victim was then given the watch back just prior to takeoff on a separate Delta Air Lines flight, bringing relief to the traveler.
As for the thief, he later said he didn't know who the woman was, a statement that differed from what he had said after initially being taken off the flight. The individual was arrested and handcuffed for theft of property.
Posted just three weeks ago online, the incident drew thousands of reactions among commenters.
Commenters Took Exception To How TSA Handled The Incident
The incident caused quite a stir online. Many took exception to the reaction of the TSA staff at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
"Who doesn’t know to put lost and found items away and out of arms reach of other people?" one person commented.
Another commenter wrote, "The TSA lady kept making excuses to avoid any responsibility so much so that you notice the cop even apologized to her."
"That TSA woman spends her whole day trying to do as little as possible. She didn't go behind the counter to secure the watch because no one made her do it," another person wrote.
As for other reactions, commenters felt as though the thief knew exactly what they were doing.
"Remember, old people don't become thieves, thieves get old," another commenter wrote.
The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport officers received high praise for the incident and their reaction, managing to get the expensive watch back to the traveler right before takeoff. The officers had the right amount of urgency, while keeping things calm and professional throughout the incident.
TheTravel contacted Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport regarding the incident on September 9, 2025, but did not immediately hear back in time for publication.
