Airport sees rash of airbag burglaries

TAMPA - Chris Kavala thought the hassles were over.

This July, he flew back to Tampa from New Orleans after a two-day business trip. He had already dealt with delays, security and luggage. He thought the stress of flying was over.

Then he got to his car, parked in the long-term parking garage at TIA. He was about to start the hour-drive home to Holiday, Fla., when he did a double-take.

The cover on his steering wheel was missing. So too was the airbag inside.

“I knew I had been robbed,” Kavala said.

According to airport police, Kavala is not alone. Five vehicles at TIA were targeted between June 23 and July 13 of this year.

Five airbags were taken from a 2008 Chevrolet pick-up truck, a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, a 2009 Acura MDX, a 2010 Acura MDX and a 2008 GMC Sierra pick-up truck.

The burglar would manipulate the locks on the door to get inside, and then take the airbag out through the steering wheel.

Airport police chief Paul Sireci said the airbags can be taken in less than two minutes. They can earn a couple hundred dollars on the black market.

In response to what happened, Sireci said he has upped patrols in the parking garages at the airport.

He believes security will be even safer soon, when the airport receives an $8 million grant to upgrade their camera surveillance system in the parking garages.

Kavala, though, was upset the airport didn’t already have surveillance cameras.

“I don’t think there’s a part of the airport area that should not be under video surveillance,” Kavala said.

Sireci suggests parking in a well-lit area and making sure to lock your doors as a way to prevent this from happening to you.