Two baggage handlers at a New Orleans airport allegedly stole a Patek Philippe watch worth nearly $80,000 from a passenger's luggage.
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Thaddeus Porter, 42, and Morris Robinson, 18, have been arrested in connection with the alleged theft.
The passenger was flying from Los Angeles to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on September 24 when the incident reportedly occurred.
Airport Workers Arrested Over Alleged $79,000 Watch Theft
Porter and Robinson were identified by Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office investigators after they reviewed security camera footage from the airport.
The pair worked as baggage handlers for the traveler's airline, which has not been publicly identified.
The passenger reportedly contacted police after discovering that his luggage had been ripped along the zipper and his Patek Philippe Aquanaut watch was missing.
The luxury watch is valued at approximately $79,050, making the alleged theft a felony offense.
Following an investigation, Porter and Robinson were arrested and booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Facility.
Court records show that both men have been charged with felony theft valued over $25,000.
The two later posted separate $25,000 bonds and were released the same day.
Further details surrounding the alleged theft are expected to emerge as the legal process moves forward.
Woman Accused of Being Chinese Agent Arrested at LAX
Elsewhere in airport news, the FBI arrested a woman at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday in a separate high-profile case.
The woman, identified as Wanying "Heather" Zhang, has been accused of acting as a Chinese spy.
Zhang, who is from Irvine, California, was reportedly attempting to travel to China when she was arrested.
She is accused of acting as an unregistered agent of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said that Zhang traveled to Seattle in 2025. This was allegedly at the PRC's direction and involved surveillance of a close relative of a Taiwanese government official.
She is accused of sending photos, videos and license plate information to Chinese officials.
Zhang is due to appear in federal court on Monday as the high-profile case against her moves forward.
Further details surrounding the allegations are expected to emerge as the legal proceedings continue.
