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(USA): Possible theft ring targets luggage

Monday, 31 Mar 2008

  • Source: Arizona Republic
  • Date: 31/3/2008
  • Description:  Possible theft ring targets luggage
  • Link:  [Click here]

     

     

    Possible theft ring targeted luggage

     

    Jahna Berry - Mar. 31, 2008 06:35 PM
    The Arizona Republic

     

    Phoenix police are investigating a possible theft ring that may have pilfered valuable electronics out of Delta Air Lines passengers' luggage at Sky Harbor.

     

    Seven workers from contractor Airport Terminal Services Inc. no longer handle bags for Delta, said Atlanta-based airline spokesman Anthony Black.

     

    "They aren't working with us on the ramp," Black said of the workers, adding that it's unclear if ATS has suspended or fired the employees.

     
    No arrests have been made yet, but Phoenix police have already recovered some stolen goods including laptops, cameras and MP3 players, said Phoenix police Detective Reuben Gonzales. The thefts may have occurred when ATS workers were transporting bags between the airplanes and Terminal 3, he said.

     

    "Within the last month (police) gathered complaints from passengers who said that they may be missing property out of their baggage," Gonzales said.

     

    During the investigations, police began interviewing workers and found some suspected stolen goods, he added.

     

    Some travelers may not even realize that the items are stolen yet, Gonzales said.

     

    He said that the case was still under investigation and that he couldn't give a clear time frame on when the thefts occurred.

     

    Thieves could face state and federal charges.

     

    When travelers have valuables, they should keep them in their carry-on luggage, said airport spokeswoman Claire Simeone.

     

    Simeone could not say if other airlines used the contactor. But Black said, to his knowledge, Delta is the only airline that uses Airport Terminal Services.

     

    "We are vigilant about making sure that people's belongings are safe when they are in Sky Harbor," Simeone said. "We take a lot of security measures - people may see them, and there are layers that people don't see."

     

    A woman who answered the phone at the Phoenix office of Airport Terminal Services said no one would comment on the investigation.

     

    Airport Terminal Services serves 37 airports in the United States and Canada with more than 2,000 employees, according to the firm's Web site.

     

    "We continue to work along with (Transportation Security Administration) and all law enforcement, not only for safety and security, but for the safety of baggage as they pass through the security system," Black said.

     

    No TSA employees were involved in the thefts, Phoenix police say.

     

    In 2007, 42 million passengers passed through Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

     

    If Delta customers suspect that something was stolen from their bag, they should notify the baggage-claim agent if they are still at the airport, Black said.