After an incident at the Newark International Airport, a man from Paterson, New Jersey has been charged with theft for allegedly robbing a woman of her expensive new watch while the two were passing through a security screening.
According to a spokesperson for the New Jersey Port Authority, 65-year-old Luis A. Casiano was captured on the airport’s video surveillance system stealing a luxury Michele watch, valued at $1,800, from a female Staten Island resident.
Detectives identified and subsequently arrested Casiano with the watch in his possession following his return from a trip to Puerto Rico. Per reports, he was recorded taking the watch from the security bin in which the woman had placed it while she was undergoing processing at an airport security checkpoint.
Due to the value of the stolen property, Casiano has likely been charged with a third degree theft offense, which may subject him to significant penalties if he is ultimately convicted.
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3a, theft constitutes a crime of the third degree, punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from 3 to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison if:
- The amount involved exceeds $500 but is less than $75,000;
- The property stolen is a firearm, motor vehicle, vessel, boat, horse, domestic companion animal or airplane;
- The property stolen is a CDS and the amount involved is less than $75,000 or is undetermined and the quantity is one kilogram or less;
- It is from the person of the victim; or
- The property stolen is a New Jersey Prescription Blank.
For more information pertaining to this case, access the following article: Paterson man steals $1,800 watch from woman at Newark Airport security check, report says
