Well, I guess you can't fly with cannonballs.
Oh, well stolen cannonballs is a whole different issue. Still, how did they know they were stolen?
Here's 1819 News in Alabama on the failed historical heist:
Lead Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer Justin Dupree uncovered a big surprise while searching a bag at the Gulf Shores International Airport (JKA) this week: five stolen cannonballs from nearby Fort Morgan ...
'My first thought was, "I couldn't see a fuse and need to get some help quick,"' Dupree said. 'I couldn't see the entire item but was scared I might have been holding a live explosive.'
Yeah, I can see how that would set off some red flags.
It looked like a bomb, and in a way he was not far off.
The thieves had the cannonballs wrapped in paper towels. Because they appeared to believe that x-ray machines can't penetrate Bounty, or something like that.
As soon as TSA discovered the antique ordinance, the next question was, "Where did they come from?"
The items were deemed dangerous after going through an X-ray machine. The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office responded and confirmed the cannonballs did not contain any explosive material or active components.
'Technically, they were artillery munitions and considered prohibited items,' explained Cash. 'With assistance from the [explosives expert] and law enforcement and because we were unable to initially determine they were inert, they could have been dangerous to the aircraft.'
Investigators said the passenger was not aware of how the cannonballs were obtained.
He just so happened to have stolen cannonballs from an historic site in his carry on luggage, wrapped in paper towels, and had no clue how they got there.
Imagine that phone call to the historic site 😂
"Yes, this is TSA at Gulf Shores Airport ... are you missing any cannonballs?"
The antique munitions were returned to Fort Morgan where they rightfully belong.
