Orlando airport worker caught stealing cash from couple, police say

Worker hired to help elderly, disabled passengers get to their gates is arrested

ORLANDO, Fla. – A worker hired to help elderly and disabled passengers get to their gates at Orlando International Airport was arrested Tuesday, according to a police report.

Orlando police investigators said Benedique Denival, 22, had nothing to say when they placed him in handcuffs at the airport.

Police said the investigation began Aug. 8 when a couple from Ocala said they were trying to catch a flight to Chicago. They said they realized they were missing $150 in cash.

Orlando Police Department investigators said they watched video from at least five different cameras located in the west security checkpoint at the airport and saw Denival take the money.

They said the video showed the couple arrive at the checkpoint. They said the man, who is 89 years old, needed to use a wheelchair to go through security. They said they saw Denival, a worker with OIA vendor Bags Inc., arrive to help him.

When the man went through the metal detector, they said, they saw Denival grab the man's wallet and empty it of cash.

This is the second time this year News 6 has reported on workers at OIA's security checkpoint stealing money. In June, Transportation Safety Administration worker Alexander Shae Johnson was arrested after investigators said he stole more than $300 from a female passenger. He's still awaiting trial.

[RELATED: TSA agent stole money from passenger at Orlando airport, police say]

News 6 spoke with a representative of Bags Inc. on Tuesday night. The spokeswoman said Denival passed two criminal background checks, one for Bags Inc. and one for the airport. She said he had no criminal record. She said he was fired from the company after he was arrested.

Denival's bond at the Orange County Jail is set at $1,100. According to Florida law, he could face up to six years in prison if he's convicted.


About the Author:

Erik Sandoval joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2013 and became an Investigator in 2020. During his time at News 6, Erik has covered several major stories, including the 2016 Presidential campaign. He was also one of the first reporters live on the air at the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

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