What started as a routine flight for several passengers turned into a frustrating mystery—until investigators say they uncovered a baggage handler allegedly helping himself to travelers’ valuables.
Authorities arrested Sterlyn Southall, a Portsmouth, Virginia resident, on March 3 in connection with a string of thefts at Norfolk International Airport. He is now facing four counts of grand larceny, according to court records.
The charges stem from at least two reported incidents on September 29 and November 26 of last year, but investigators say the alleged thefts may have stretched over several months.
Passengers flying with Spirit Airlines began reporting missing items from their checked luggage—many of them high-value goods. Among the items allegedly taken were Nike Air Jordan sneakers, jewelry, watches, electronics, and other expensive belongings.
According to a search warrant, surveillance footage and internal records helped piece together what was happening behind the scenes.
In one case, Southall was allegedly seen concealing a pair of sneakers under his jacket before leaving the airport. In another, investigators say he was spotted wearing a designer jacket that had been reported stolen by a passenger.
Authorities reviewed airport security footage, employee badge access logs, and internal airline reports before making the arrest.
Spirit Airlines confirmed the worker is no longer affiliated with them, noting he was employed by a third-party vendor. Airport officials also acknowledged the case and credited alert travelers for reporting suspicious activity, which ultimately helped police build their case and recover several stolen items.
Officials are now reminding travelers to think carefully about what they pack in checked baggage. Valuable items—especially smaller ones that can be easily removed—should be kept in carry-on bags whenever possible, along with essentials like medications and important documents.
Southall is expected to appear before a grand jury on May 6 as the case moves forward.
Discover more from True News Media
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
What a complete dirt bag. I think someone else there had to see something while this was going on, can’t believe he was the only one working in that area.