Unusual Airport theft

[Dr.Brian]

While traveling last weekend after I checked my bag, someone went into it and stole my thumb drive from the mesh pocket inside.
I had some reasonably expensive things in there (cuff links, Dopp kit, alligator wallet, designer belt, nice name brand clothes, Cologne, etc.) yet they only took the drive and 2 quarters that were in there with it.
I wonder if they wanted potential blackmail material, financial info, personal id info, or just randomly trying to hurt a stranger by taking something potentially valuable and important to them?
Strange.

[Angrypuppy]

Hopefully it was encrypted.

Sorry you have to deal with that.

[paverman]

That's a shame Brian, i guess it could of been worse, though. Hard to trust anyone anymore.

[Dr.Brian]

Sorry. I forgot to say that there was nothing on it of value to anyone. Well maybe to someone who looks at it and uses the information for themselves.
It included 2 ebooks and a few dozen peer reviewed economics and finance articles on investment strategies which supported a comprehensive PowerPoint and video presentation.
It might be the best thing they ever stole, though I doubt they understand the value of an extra 2%.
No harm done, I just have to call them and ask for another one.

[Chewbacca]

may be you lost it? i've misplaced my usb's many times in the airport cycle only to find them when i unpack in the hotel or at home.

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

may be you lost it? i've misplaced my usb's many times in the airport cycle only to find them when i unpack in the hotel or at home.

No I zipped it in there before I left, including the 2 quarters because I didn't want them in my pocket. The inside pocket was unzipped and contents missing when I unpacked at home.
I just don't understand the motive. If there was valuable financial info on it, I would think it would be encrypted. Though maybe that is not very hard to break.

[Rootbeer]

I guess the most obvious answer is that there isn't any reasonable motive. If the pocket they were in was found to be open then they may have fallen out, even possibly during a back-end security screening. It's highly unlikely the money or usb have been taken for gain.

Couldn't be that the pocket lining has torn and the items are floating around the case somewhere? Or that they might have fallen out as the lid was flipped over while being closed?

[salem65]

Thief would go for the easiest and quickest items that they see first. They don't have time to root around in your bag, so they grab whatever they can in the quickest time. Happened to be your thumb drive and quarters.

[SUBversive]

Very strange indeed.