(GoRealNewsNow.com) – In an unexpected turn of events at Munich airport, customs officials detained iconic actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The issue was a luxury watch valued at over $21,000, which sparked a series of complications leading to the arrest.
The 76-year-old star faced inquiries over an Audemars Piguet timepiece he was carrying.
Customs officials, suspecting the watch might be auctioned at his charity event in Kitzbuhel, Austria, held Schwarzenegger due to what they described as “criminal tax proceedings.”
Munich’s customs spokesman, Thomas Meister, explained that the watch should have been registered as an import.
A source close to Schwarzenegger revealed that he was never prompted to fill out a declaration form and maintained honesty throughout his interaction with customs officials. The situation was described as a “comedy of errors,” with Schwarzenegger reportedly cooperative despite being held.
Schwarzenegger, known for his composure, seemingly took the incident in stride. During the holdup, he was seen smiling and displaying the watch box to the press and paparazzi. To resolve the matter, he agreed to pre-pay potential taxes on the watch’s future sale despite it being his personal property.
However, the process was far from smooth. A malfunctioning card machine led to an hour-long attempt at payment, followed by a failed effort to withdraw the required sum from an ATM due to withdrawal limits and banking hours. A resolution came only when a new officer arrived with a functioning credit card machine.
Despite his initial calm, Schwarzenegger’s patience wore thin as the ordeal prolonged. Eventually released from the airport, he reportedly plans to proceed with the watch’s auction on Thursday.
The proceeds are intended for the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative, with an assurance of proper reporting by the charity, as is standard for Schwarzenegger’s philanthropic endeavors.