You took a laptop out in the back. >> No people. No. No Apple. >> You put the bag. You put the laptop in your bag. >> A laptop left on a baby changing station vanishes in minutes. A $99 bag fee ends with a mother in handcuffs. Two travelers. Two very different crimes. One airport on a single October evening. What the law says about each is not what most people would guess. Sorry, I'm very lonely. >> You got a baseball cap with you? >> No. >> You by yourself? >> No, she's with us. >> No, you are you by yourself? >> My dad? >> Yeah. Oh, that's your dad's >> with us. Yeah. >> And this person just occurred to East Nering on her door constantly. She advised that. >> Sorry about that. >> Come on. Grab your back. >> Grab your back. Are you with her? Yeah. >> You? >> That's you, right? Sorry. I need your backpack and you need to come with me. >> My back. >> Your backpack. >> Is it that correct? >> Is it the bathroom? >> Yeah, the bathroom. >> Yeah, bro. >> Me? >> Nothing. >> Nothing. What? >> No. No. The bathroom? >> Yeah. You took the laptop out of the back. No people. No. No. >> You put the back. You put the laptop in your back. Bathroom. Bathroom. uh nobody contested. Turn around. >> Turn around. >> Because nobody's there doesn't mean you can just take it. It's not free. >> No people. No. I don't know. There's no people. >> Excuse me. The biggest one. >> Ah, okay. >> One woman though. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. 12 minutes. I >> need his boarding pass. >> What's your name? >> D. [snorts] Passport. >> Do you have a ID on you? >> Yes, I do. Thank you so very much for this. I really appreciate all the effort. >> Someone um get a property receipt quick cuz he's catching a flight, right? >> Nah, his flight was cancelled. >> Flight got cancelled. >> Okay. All right. All right. Cool. So, we got him for a statement then. We're good. about $1,000. >> $1,000 for the place. >> It's a Dell. >> Yeah. >> Dell silver Dell laptop, right? >> Do you want you want to prosecute him for stealing it? >> I'll go with whatever you guys recommend. >> That's not how that works. Do you want him to go to jail for stealing it? That's uh we don't we don't make recommendations. >> He stole your He stole your property, >> right? >> And it's not his. He stole it. >> [music] >> And uh yeah, I obviously I want him to be >> right. No problem for her. >> A good phone number for you. >> We booked for when we So [laughter] >> I was I was going to Newark. >> I had to check in my backpack because they said this was going to be an extra item and that's why I'm carrying my laptop by myself and >> I can't believe it. I would have been one of those people that lose the laptop. So thank you. the connection. [music] >> Just hold it right here for me. I got to figure out what the sergeant want to do cuz I have a I don't have a cage vehicle. All right. >> Something's not yours. >> My mother always taught me if something's not mine, I don't touch you. That's the best idea. >> The guy was using the bathroom right beside you. >> No, the bathroom. >> I know. Yeah, but there's police came over and said, "Hey, here's our family." >> Yeah, >> it's a good story. >> This is I'll use this stuff. Let me turn my AC on. How are you guys? >> So they're in group five. We have a bag policy that we were trying to explain. Gentleman got upset. He said that he did. She spoke to him first. >> Okay. >> He said that he was not going to pay for the bag. So when he came up, I boarded them biometrics, the wife and the kid. I went and I asked Sergeant needs to come around so that they can go ahead for the bag. >> Correct. He said no. Then he started calling her out. Her name was very disrespectful. He said that he wanted to spit in her face. And she comes and I said, "If you guys are going to all come, I need you all to come around the front so you guys can stay together." There's three of them. >> She comes and she goes in the jetway. After I asked her and I should now come outside, she said she didn't want to move. And then she blocked me from doing my job and closing the door. So she wanted to touch me. I said, "Stop touching me." Now I just asked for the passport so I could remove them from the flight. She went to go touch me. I said, "Back up. Stop touching her." And now she's asking for forgiveness that um you know she wants to apologize for how they spoke to her and how they treat her. Say no you guys should have thought about that prior to >> Let me ask you when she entered into the junior she was she they had tickets to go in. >> Yes. >> Okay. That's how I want to make sure I don't worry about a brief situation. All right. So what are we doing with them? >> They're not they're not coming. >> Understood. And they're aware of this. >> All right. You guys speak English or no? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. What do you got? So what's going on? >> Okay. So, uh, we're coming from Tampa. >> So, we fly with that bag. >> Yeah, we locate it. >> I understand. But, but so, let me explain real quick for you. And that happens common with them. Okay. So, this is their hub. This is their training grounds. This is everything that they do for Spirit is hubbed out of Fort Lauderdale. Tampa may have not charged you. I'm going to tell you it happened yesterday. Only >> why she explained me that. >> I I will simp. I will explain. >> She told me she told me no, you have to pay and that's it. >> Because there who knows what's watching them, right? Listen, I hear you. But that's an irrelevant thing to me. However, when it comes to the bag, they have to charge you. There's no way around that. They did something wrong in Tampa. Doesn't happen here. Correct. >> You're right. But they can do things that because it's not a training area. I'm telling you, a lot of things happen in other airports and then they come here and they're like, "Hey, they may have done something in Boston, right?" But when you get here, they're going to follow it by the book. I understand it's frustrating as a customer to you, but for them, they're not doing anything wrong. Their policy policy Tampa did something wrong. Tampa should have charged you. You understand? So now now we're in a situation where they're going to remove you off of this flight because they're allowed to do that. It's a private company and that's that. There's nothing that you can do about that and that that's obviously a decision that's being made, right? Is that they're not going to deal with it and and that's what they want to do. >> But why they they taking me out from the flight >> because of how I guess you guys were talking with them that you guys decided to enter as a family versus just one person and that's how it went down. So now they're going to remove everybody to understand. I don't but it's still a private company. >> We say sorry a lot of time. These are Christmas vacation. We are family. Look, it's just I can't I hear you, but there's nothing I can make them do, right? It's a private company. I can't make them say, "Hey, what am I supposed to do?" >> So, what's going to happen is they're going to reimburse you your money. It takes 5 days and you guys can rebook with another airline. >> Well, who don't? >> I don't know where where you're going to Cancuning. >> Will they allow them to rebook? Okay. So, he said he's going to [music] put notes in. He says you may go down to rebooking and talk to a supervisor outside there and see if they want to rebook you. But that's going to be the situation. As of right now, you know, this is what we're dealing with. >> So, what time what time we going to fly? >> You may not fly with them at all. It's going to be up to a manager. They're they're going to decide to let you fly. They removed you off of this flight. >> But why they do that? >> Why they do that? >> These are family tree. >> I understand. >> These are family tree. And we say sorry to them. >> I But I can't make them accept an apology. There's nothing I can do on that. Well, let me talk to him. >> You can talk to whoever you want, but your >> I don't need it. Did I speak English? >> Um, what happened? >> Um, I I went up and down the line to trip the people who had carry on bags and I said, "Hey, sir. Um, let me see your booth." He was on route 5 before he reached the front. So he don't left the boarding area. Um, you need to pay for the bag. I'm not paying for the bag. And I was like, all right. So I let him stay in the line. I'm not going to push him off the line, but when you reach the point right here, we're going to advise you one more time cuz he now charge advised him. Oh, you have to pay for the bag. He's like, I'm not paying for the bag. I came from Tampa like that. I want to speak to a supervisor. Okay. Well, we're going to close the door. If the supervisor don't come, um, you're going to stay behind. He's like goes on and on. He called me. He said, "I want to spit you in your face." Um, he told me mad [ __ ] And I was like, "Listen, you could talk to your wife and your mama like that, but you're not going to speak to me like that." Okay? Because that's disrespectful. I'm not disrespectful you. I'm staying in my in my tone. But then he was acting real stupid. And then once I said, "Oh, >> real stupid just verbally." And then um once they saw that we really going to leave them behind, they want to calm down and said, "Oh, I'm traveling with my child." You should have respected your child before that cuz you're not even respecting him. That little >> tried to go through. >> She went through but they were boarded and we asked her to come out cuz she we were going to close the door and she's like, "I'm waiting for my husband." I said, "Your husband is not going to travel." And and and you're not going to travel either. Cuz she was acting stupid, too. Um, I didn't see, but George said that she he pushed through because I'm here dealing with him and George is trying to deal with her over there and so I didn't see >> I I speak a little bit not too much English, but I can try. Um, okay. We came from Tampa. It's our Christmas vacation. We came from Tampa and we don't pay for that bad for that bad. So when we come in inside the lady told us we need to pay and my husband say why if we come to Tampa and we don't pay anything why we I must pay. No because I want you need to pay. She don't play anything about you are in Fort Lauderdale there you know are in Tampa. She don't say nothing. She only say you are in Tampa. Uh you need to pay. You need to pay. and with bad uh it was a bad explain you know she she can explain why we need to pay. So the only thing we put there we are we we don't understand what is the the sides for the packages we need to pay or not and my husband and her start to >> say to fight I don't want to pay I want to pay >> or argue >> fight or argue >> that way >> argue >> like a talk talking to each other shoulder Okay. >> And that's it. >> And where were you? >> Well, here inside. Here inside because I'm nervous. I don't want to the plane go and the plane go. >> What happened when you >> Nothing. The other guy come in and he told me I need to come out and I say no. But I don't touch him. I'm a woman. I don't want to touch. And he yelling me very bad. He's he's a working here. Am I a client? I don't know. And he yelling me very very loud outside. You can check the cameras. I don't touch him. I guess I can't touch him. >> What happened? >> Okay, so we fly from Tampa with this bag. I not pay for that bag in Tampa. I actually I never pay for that bag. Wherever I go, I never pay when I take it with me. I never pay for that bag. So when I get here, this lady told me I want to pay I don't know like 99 for 99 bucks for that bag. So I I tell him, "Hey, I'm going to pay because I don't pay. I never pay. So I don't know how supposed to pay right here." But at the point, >> where's George going? >> The point with these two guys is they they got they they talking that's why I feel so bad. So, so, so you know because they talk to you like like they are the owners or they have some I know I know so this kind of thought you know hey shout out or something like that. So yeah, what I say I was so uh I feeling so bad because they they talk to you like they are they are the owner of the apo or the fly or or whatever you know they talk to they not looking you they they are like I don't know how can I explain that what did you say to them >> I don't agree with that I feel bad for that I'm not supposed to be paid for that >> you're going to walk with me for a Uh my husband too. >> He's going to come in a little bit. >> Okay. Just me? >> Just you? >> Okay. >> So, okay, >> Kevin. >> Hi. >> And my husband, >> he's coming. >> Okay. So, what I'm going to do, >> we're going to walk out and we'll we'll talk outside. >> Outside the what? >> Outside of the terminal. >> Oh my god. I can't believe it. >> They they they refunded your ticket. >> I know what I'm supposed to do. >> Huh? I'm going to explain to you. >> I know, but I need to wait for my husband. >> He's going to come >> on my child. >> Yep. >> Come on. >> Oh my god. [music] >> They want to check to see what's going to happen with their bags. They call me right. Huh? >> Oh my god. No, no, no, no. >> I got to get some. >> No, no, no, no. Get some more information. >> No, no, no, no. Oh my god, bro. What I do? >> Now you're under arrest. >> What I do? Why? to do this in front of our no no with the husband or something. You're free to go. >> Why? Why? Why? Why me? I don't do anything. Why me? >> Why you don't check the camera? Why you don't check the camera? Why you don't check the camera? >> Camera for the battery will be done later. We already signed a waiver. So even if there is a battery, they're not going to pursue charges. But because of the altercation that delayed the flight, therefore she's under arrest for disorderly conduct. >> Officer, do you check the cameras? need to check. >> So, but you see, did you explain to her about the cameras? No. >> Okay. >> Okay. No, >> I can't I can't put my hand. >> You got to go back. >> My hand here. No, keep them in the back. Just sit to the side. >> Please >> sit just like that. >> And uh my my husband, my child, please. >> You can't talk to them right now. >> Please. >> If you sit at an angle, it'll take the pressure off your wrist. >> Hold up. But what >> if you sit if you sit like this take the pressure off your >> What are you doing? >> The first case turned on a single number. Under Florida statute section 812.14, theft becomes grand theft, a felony, when the property is worth $750 or more. The property must also be worth less than $20,000 to fall within that felony range. A laptop usually clears that line, which is why a quiet act in a restroom became a felony rather than a misdemeanor. Below $750, the very same act would be only pettit theft. The second case is harder and the law is far narrower than it looks. The woman was arrested under Florida statute section 87703, the state's disorderly conduct law, a secondderee misdemeanor. But the Florida Supreme Court reshaped that statute in state versus Saunders decided in 1976. When a charge rests on speech, Saunders limits it to fighting words or words that incite an immediate breach of the peace. Ordinary profanity standing alone is generally protected. The officers on scene said the arrest was based on the altercation that delayed the flight, not on any battery. A battery waiver had already been signed, so no battery charge would follow. A delay is an inconvenience, but Saunders asks whether the words crossed into incitement, and that is a much higher bar. The touching claim itself points to another statute. Florida Statute Section 7843 defines battery as any intentional touching against another person's will. Here, the gate agent alleged the woman touched her after being told to stop. Yet, the airline chose not to pursue it. That decision left disorderly conduct as the only charge, which is why the narrow limits of that law matter so much. There is a constitutional layer beneath all of this. In City of Houston versus Hill, the Supreme Court held that the freedom to verbally challenge official action marks a free nation. Cursing at a gate agent may be rude, but rudeness and crime are not the same thing. When a laptop or phone sits unattended in a public restroom, the absence of its owner is not permission. Property that looks abandoned almost never is, and walking away with it can be theft the moment it enters a bag. In Florida, whether that theft is a felony or a misdemeanor depends entirely on the value of what was taken. When an officer asks a theft victim whether they want to prosecute, that answer matters because officers cannot make the choice for them. In this footage, an officer refuses to recommend an outcome, telling the victim, quote, "That is not how that works." Deciding to press charges is the victim's call alone, and it should be made deliberately, not deferred. When a fee dispute at a gate turns heated, the safest move is to step back the instant a lawful instruction is given. Refusing to leave a jetway or blocking a door can transform a civil disagreement into grounds for arrest. A private airline can remove a passenger for almost any reason. But the criminal exposure begins when someone refuses to comply. When an accusation comes down to who touched whom, objective evidence decides it. and asking officers to check the cameras is reasonable, but an arrest can still happen before that footage is ever reviewed. The safer path is to stay calm, state clearly that video exists, and let it speak later rather than escalating in the moment. When an officer treats a delay, or an argument as disorderly conduct, that charge is narrower than it sounds. Under Florida law, mere frustration, profanity, or inconvenience is usually not enough without fighting words or a real breach of the peace. Knowing that distinction can change how a person behaves and how a defense attorney later attacks the charge. Two travelers left the same airport that night in very different circumstances. One a suspect facing a felony and one a mother in handcuffs. The law drew the line in each case, though not always where instinct would expect.