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Dedication to Duty and Team Spirit at T.F. Green

News & Happenings

March 10, 2008

Quick action by security officers at T.F. Green Airport recently led to the arrest of a passenger on outstanding felony arrest warrants.

The incident began when Transportation Security Officer Robert Duggan, in his role as travel document checker, referred Gerald Schena of Medford, Mass., for additional screening. As Schena passed through the explosives detection trace portal, he set off the alarm and fled the checkpoint without his shoes and belt.

Lead TSO Morris Ford followed the man through the terminal lobby and out the front door to the parking lot while calling Watch Officer José Pacheco. Keeping Schena in sight, Ford alerted airport police officers of the man's location and he was arrested.

On Nov. 16, 2007, Schena had been indicted in state court on 282 counts of insurance fraud, larceny, forgery and other offenses allegedly involving inflated bills to insurance companies. A bag search at the airport revealed identification with three different names and numerous credit cards matching the names.

"I am proud of everyone involved in this incident. From start to finish these officers demonstrated perfectly orchestrated teamwork while following proper procedures," Federal Security Director Joseph Salter said. "They couldn't have performed better if they had been able to practice beforehand."