Baggage Handlers Accused of Stealing $80,000 Watch at New Orleans Airport

Two baggage handlers at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport have been arrested and charged with felony theft for allegedly stealing a nearly $80,000 Patek Philippe watch from a traveler's luggage. The incident occurred on September 24 when a passenger, who had flown in from Los Angeles, discovered his bag had been tampered with.

According to reports, the passenger noticed a rip along the zipper of his luggage and found that his Patek Philippe Aquanaut, valued at $79,050, was missing. Investigators with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office reviewed security camera footage, which led to the identification of Thaddeus Porter, 42, and Morris Robinson, 18, as the suspects.

Both Porter and Robinson worked as baggage handlers for the airline that transported the passenger's luggage. They were arrested on the same day the theft was reported and charged with felony theft valued over $25,000. Court records indicate they were booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Facility and later posted separate $25,000 bonds the following day.

Officials have not released further details regarding the investigation or the recovery of the stolen watch. Porter and Robinson could not be reached for comment.