Woman arrested at Miami International Airport after repeatedly entering restricted TSA area, deputies say
A 27-year-old woman was arrested at Miami International Airport after repeatedly entering a restricted area despite warnings from security, the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office said.
Incident at MIA's TSA checkpoint
Authorities said it happened Saturday, Aug. 9, shortly after 10 p.m., as Maria Paula Morais-Sousa approached the TSA Checkpoint 3 exit lane at 4200 NW 21st St., according to the sheriff's office.
An Allied Universal Security officer informed Morais-Sousa that the area was restricted and she could not enter. Morais-Sousa left but returned five minutes later, again entering the secure area, the sheriff's office said.
Confrontation and arrest
The security officer again advised Morais-Sousa to go through the proper TSA checkpoint or face sheriff intervention, according to the sheriff's office.
Morais-Sousa said she had only five minutes to catch her flight and that the sheriff could come get her, and again proceeded past the security point, authorities said.
The security officer lost sight of Morais-Sousa while contacting authorities.
Deputies located and arrested Morais-Sousa, who was transported to the airport station, where she received and signed a Miranda warning waiver form, deputies said.
Morais-Sousa provided a written statement and was transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK) without incident.