A couple was arrested at Miami International Airport after allegedly trying to board an American Airlines flight without authorization, leading to a physical altercation with airline staff, according to police.
Incident at Miami International Airport
The altercation took place on Sunday as passengers were preparing to board American Airlines Flight 2494 from Miami to Cancún.
According to a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office police report, the suspects, identified as Rafael Seirafe-Novaes and Beatriz Rapoport-De-Campos-Maia, allegedly ignored security signs and verbal commands from a ticket agent before pushing past them and other airline staff to enter the jet bridge.
Physical Confrontation with Airline Staff
When they were denied boarding, the couple reportedly became irate. Authorities state that they pushed two staff members, and Rapoport-De-Campos-Maia allegedly threw coffee on them.
In response to the incident, American Airlines released a statement:
“Acts of violence are not tolerated by American Airlines, and we are committed to working closely with law enforcement in their investigation.”
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Charges and Arrest Details
Both Seirafe-Novaes and Rapoport-De-Campos-Maia have been charged with:
- Two counts of battery
- One count of trespassing on property after warning
Additionally, Seirafe-Novaes faces an extra charge of resisting an officer without violence, as he allegedly pulled his arms away from the arresting officer during his detainment.
Following the incident, the couple was taken into custody and transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami.
Ongoing Investigation
It remains unclear whether either suspect has legal representation to speak on their behalf. Authorities have not provided further details on potential additional charges or the status of their legal proceedings.
The incident highlights the importance of airport security measures and the consequences of disruptive behavior in air travel.
