A man from Florida is being prosecuted for a serious theft offense after an airline passenger, who was due to depart from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, located her missing suitcase at the individual’s residence, as stated in the case’s probable cause document.
The accused, a 29-year-old Fort Lauderdale resident named Junior Geneus Bazile, faces a third-degree grand theft charge.
The complainant was scheduled to fly with Spirit Airlines on the night of March 3, but after the flight was canceled, passengers were informed they could collect their checked bags from the baggage carousel at Terminal 4, as per the affidavit.
Paola Garcia shared in an interview with CNN’s Miami affiliate WPLG that she usually carries her luggage on board but was instructed to check it this time. After a long wait, her pink roller bag, which contained valuable items such as an Apple MacBook, iPad, Watch, jewelry, designer clothing, and toiletries, did not appear on the conveyor belt.
Spirit Airlines informed Garcia that her luggage had been sent to her home, but it never arrived. Using her personal electronic tracker, Garcia located her belongings at a Fort Lauderdale address, according to the affidavit.
Garcia attempted to retrieve her possessions by going to the indicated residence but could not make contact with anyone inside. She documented several suitcases outside the property during her visit, none of which were hers, the affidavit states.
Concerned for her safety, Garcia contacted the authorities, who emphasized the risk she faced by being at the location.
A Broward County Sheriff’s Office detective, upon investigating the address in the airport’s employee records, identified Junior Geneus Bazile as a resident there.
Bazile, an employee at Paradies Lagardère Travel Retail within the airport, was on duty the day the theft occurred. The store’s loss prevention manager provided CCTV footage to the detective, which allegedly showed Bazile handling a pink suitcase similar to Garcia’s and transferring items from it into other bags.
Footage from WPLG showed a man with a pink suitcase and a laptop in a plastic bag.
Paradies Lagardère stated they take the incident seriously, confirming the immediate termination of the employee involved. They have cooperated with the ongoing police investigation and referred further inquiries to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Bazile, charged with third-degree grand theft, has pleaded not guilty and was released on a $30,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 23, according to court documents.