Man ‘living at’ Miami International Airport steals passenger’s luggage, deputies say

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A 41-year-old man was arrested Thursday on accusations that he stole a passenger’s luggage at Miami International Airport, which had about $9,000 worth of property inside, authorities said.

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According to an arrest report from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the theft occurred July 31 at the American Airlines baggage claim area.

Deputies said surveillance video shows James Dickson Silk, of Miami, walking to Carousel 26 and standing near the end of the carousel belt.

When the same bag came around, Silk grabbed it and then walked to the men’s restroom on the third floor, where he remained for a while, the report stated.

According to the report, Silk eventually exited the bathroom and left the terminal via the MIA Mover.

Deputies said Silk was spotted loitering in the same baggage claim area on Thursday and was taken into custody.

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They said he was still in possession of the luggage he had stolen and provided a full confession to the theft, claiming that he had lost his lease, had been living inside the airport and stole the luggage to make himself appear more like a passenger.

According to the arrest report, Silk claimed that he didn’t remove any property from the bag but would have done so if he needed clothing.

Silk was arrested on a third-degree grand theft charge.

Records show he was previously arrested on May 31 on the same charge for allegedly stealing a backpack from a guest at the Element Brickell hotel.

About $4,000 worth of items were inside the backpack, authorities said.

As of Friday afternoon, Silk was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. He is not allowed to post bond at this time as online jail records show he was out on felony bond at the time of his arrest.

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