Man Faces Charges For Stealing Life Vests Off of Airplanes
B enjamin Wenzl allegedly exited from an airplane operated by Southwest Airlines on Monday, November 3, 2014 with two life vests taken from under the seats in his carry-on bag and was met by police at the location of Albuquerque International Sunport for curbside pickup.
“He self-admitted he took them as a prank for prank gifts”, said Marshall Katz — who is the chief of the City of Albuquerque Aviation Department Police — according to this article written by Cole Miller of KRQE News 13 in Albuquerque. “This could be the difference between life and death. It’s not a joke. It’s not a prank. It’s a crime.”
Wenzl reportedly admitted that when he inflates a life vest, “his friends get a kick out of it.”
Imagine searching for a life vest at your seat aboard an airplane during the unlikely event of an actual emergency — only to find that there is not one there. Fortunately, the seat cushion can also be used as a life vest of sorts.
Wentz — who is facing a misdemeanor larceny charge but could also face federal charges — supposedly admitted to stealing life vests in the past. The charges were then temporarily dismissed because the criminal complaint was not complete; but the charges are expected to be refiled.
Althought I find this story rather disturbing — as there is no excuse for what Wenzl is accused of doing, in my opinion — I found this quote supposedly said by Katz which is so bizarre that it has me scratching my head more than a person suffering from a severe dandruff and eczema problem:
“In my 30 year career, I can tell you people will steal anything even dirty diapers.”
Steal dirty diapers? Huh?!?
Could someone please explain that one? I cannot for the life of me figure out why someone would want to steal a dirty diaper…
Photograph of Southwest Airlines aircraft ©2014 by Brian Cohen.
I have been told it is common for passengers to steal these. They just disappear when the plane is checked and the airline needs replace them.
Unfortunate yes, but I wonder was he very obvious that he got caught and that we don’t hear this more often?
The suspect was reportedly caught by at least one member of the flight crew stuffing a life vest into his carry-on bag, Christopher tin.
It is pathetic that life vests are stolen at all…