March 12, 2016
A janitor at Philadelphia International Airport was arrested and charged Saturday after a pilot's stolen gun was found inside a a custodial closet, according to reports.
According to CBS3, the Federal Flight Officer told police he left his bags unattended for a few moments around 8:30 a.m. When he returned to the restroom, his Air Marshall issued H&K .40 caliber handgun was missing.
Flights were delayed and the firearm was subsequently recovered by a Philadelphia police officer in the area next to the restroom at the Terminal B Security Checkpoint, according to NBC 10.
The airport tweeted that flights may have been delayed due to police activity around 10:30 a.m., adding an hour later all flights had resumed.
Police activity may be delaying flights. Check flight status with your carrier.
— PHLAirport (@PHLAirport) March 12, 2016
Flights have resumed. Check flight status with your carrier.
— PHLAirport (@PHLAirport) March 12, 2016
A large number of American Airlines flights were delayed around 12:30 p.m., according to the airport's website.
Surveillance video at the airport showed that the janitor, who has not yet been identified, was the only person who entered the restroom at the time when the Flight Officer left his belongings. He is also the only individual with access to the custodial closet.
Charges against the janitor have not yet been announced and it is unclear whether the Flight Officer will face any discipline from the Transportation Security Administration, which oversees the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program.
Police said no one was in danger at any time during the incident.
